Conor McGregor reveals origin of 'Notorious' nickname

Conor McGregor says his famous nickname started with a coach who had him saved as "Trouble" in a phone contact.

The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion appeared on The Tonight Show this week to promote his July 11 return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. When host Jimmy Fallon asked how he became "The Notorious," McGregor described a progression that began with youthful missteps and ended with a nod to hip-hop.

From 'Trouble' to 'Notorious' — McGregor's nickname evolution

"It actually came because I had a habit of getting into trouble when I was younger a little bit and my coach had me saved in the phone as 'Trouble,' actually," McGregor said, per MMA Fighting. "Now, I was only a young guy, but you know, I was just notorious for it. That's it."

The 37-year-old added that the moniker also references The Notorious B.I.G., whose 1997 track "Hypnotize" became part of McGregor's walkout soundtrack. "I like Biggie as well, I like the music, and that was the walkout song and it just kind of gelled together over the years and it became the Notorious," he told Fallon.

McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in a 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier. The bout with Holloway takes place at welterweight and marks his first cage appearance in five years. He has spent recent weeks on a media tour attempting to reshape his public image ahead of the comeback.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Conor McGregor explains backstory behind ‘Notorious’ nickname | MMA Fighting