Conor McGregor and the long list of controversies: Kiss scandal, court verdicts, and chaos outside the cage

Conor McGregor: From viral beach photos to assault charges, the UFC icon finds himself in the headlines for everything but fighting

Conor McGregor is once again facing public backlash, but it’s not because of anything he did in the Octagon. The former UFC double champion has been at the centre of a growing list of controversies — the latest involving a kiss with a mystery woman on a beach, just as he was celebrating his birthday with his long-time partner Dee Devlin.

Conor McGregor: Viral kiss sparks outrage

On July 13, UK tabloid The Sun published photos of McGregor appearing to kiss a woman who wasn’t his fiancée. The images, reportedly taken on a beach, immediately triggered a storm on social media. Fans and critics slammed the 37-year-old, with many questioning Devlin’s continued loyalty after 16 years together.

As the scandal erupted online, Devlin chose not to confront it publicly. Instead, she posted a cheerful birthday message to McGregor, calling him the one who “always keeps Dee entertained and makes her smile.” The couple have four children and have been engaged since 2020.

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Conor McGregor assault conviction

The kiss scandal is only the latest in a long line of McGregor’s off-cage controversies. Just eight months ago, he was found guilty in a Dublin court of assaulting Nikita Hand in a hotel back in 2018. The six-year-old incident had been under legal scrutiny for years before finally ending in a court ruling against him in November 2024.

That verdict marked a turning point in public perception. Once hailed as the face of mixed martial arts, McGregor has steadily alienated fans with a pattern of aggressive and reckless behaviour.

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Conor McGregor’s Ibiza nightclub fight captured on video

In June 2025, McGregor was caught on camera during a heated physical altercation with another man inside a nightclub in Ibiza. Witnesses claimed he struck the patron during an argument, reigniting debate over his violent conduct outside the cage. The video circulated widely, adding to the growing concerns about his public behaviour.

This wasn’t the first time McGregor has made headlines for throwing punches off the canvas. He has been involved in numerous incidents over the years, ranging from smashing a fan’s phone to throwing a dolly at a bus full of fighters in 2018.

Conor McGregor: From underdog to untouchable, or unstoppable downfall?

McGregor’s rise from Dublin’s streets to global MMA superstardom was as fast as it was explosive. But just as quickly, his personal life seems to be unravelling. His partner Dee Devlin, who supported him from his early days, once said he wouldn’t be where he is without her. Yet now, with fresh scandals piling up, many wonder how long she’ll continue to stand by him.