You probably remember the image of Conor McGregor in 2017. He was everywhere. Pinstripe suits, private jets, and that specific brand of Irish confidence that felt like it was fueled by a mix of adrenaline and pure, uncut ego.
But then there's the documentary Conor McGregor: Notorious, which tries to strip all that back.
It’s a weird film, honestly. Most sports documentaries are either total "rah-rah" fluff pieces or deep, investigative takedowns. This one sits in a strange middle ground. It was filmed over four years, starting back when Conor was just a guy from Crumlin living in his parents' spare room and collecting social welfare checks.
Watching him go from "I hope I can pay my bills" to "I just made 100 million dollars" is a trip. But is it actually a good movie? Or just a long commercial for the McGregor brand?
The Rags-to-Riches Arc That Actually Happened
The first half of the film is where the real meat is. If you're a fan of the "Old Conor"—the one who actually seemed to care about the martial arts more than the business—this is your section.
Director Gavin Fitzgerald got lucky. He started filming in 2012. Back then, McGregor didn't have the gorilla tattoo. He didn't have the fleet of Lamborghinis. He was just a scrappy kid training at SBG Ireland with John Kavanagh, obsessing over movement and watching nature documentaries about gorillas.
- The Welfare Days: There’s a scene where he’s laughing at debt collection letters. It’s not a "tough guy" laugh; it’s the laugh of someone who literally has nothing to lose.
- The Support System: You see a lot of Dee Devlin. Honestly, she’s the secret MVP of the movie. She’s there in the gym, timing his rounds, keeping his life from falling apart while he’s 100% focused on fighting.
- The UFC Debut: The footage of his debut against Marcus Brimage in Sweden is gold. He’s wide-eyed. He’s meeting Dana White for the first time. You can see the gears turning in Dana’s head: This kid is going to make me a lot of money.
Why the Documentary Conor McGregor: Notorious Feels Like Two Different Movies
The problem with the film—and most critics pointed this out when it dropped—is that it loses its soul about halfway through.
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Once he hits the big time, the intimacy vanishes. The "fly-on-the-wall" camera gets pushed back by the "media-circus" camera. It starts feeling like a high-budget version of UFC Embedded. You get the highlights of the Chad Mendes fight, the 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo, and the Eddie Alvarez masterclass.
But we've all seen those. They're on YouTube for free.
The documentary touches on his first loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, and that's probably the most vulnerable he gets in the latter half. Seeing him sitting in the locker room, bloodied and humbled, is a stark contrast to the guy who was just screaming about "red panty night" a few weeks prior.
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The Controversy and What’s Missing
Because McGregor himself was an executive producer, the film has some massive blind spots.
It’s a hagiography. That’s a fancy way of saying it’s a tribute. It doesn’t dig into the controversies. You won't find the "bus incident" in Brooklyn here (that happened later, but the film’s tone wouldn't have allowed it anyway). It glosses over his trash talk that occasionally crossed the line into being genuinely offensive.
Also, the Floyd Mayweather fight? The biggest event of his life? It’s basically a montage at the end. If you were hoping for a deep dive into the boxing transition, you’re going to be disappointed.
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Is It Still Worth Watching in 2026?
Honestly? Yeah.
Even if you aren't a fan of the person he became, the documentary Conor McGregor: Notorious is a historical document of a very specific moment in sports history. It captures the exact second that MMA went from a niche "tough guy" sport to a global entertainment powerhouse.
It’s also a masterclass in manifestation. Whether you believe in that "Secret" stuff or not, watching a guy in 2012 predict exactly how he would take over the world—and then actually doing it—is pretty wild.
Actionable Insights for Viewers
If you're going to sit down and watch it, here's how to get the most out of it:
- Watch it for the early SBG footage. The scenes in the old, cramped gym in Dublin are way more interesting than the scenes in the Las Vegas mansions.
- Pay attention to the relationship with John Kavanagh. Their coach-athlete bond is the only thing that stays consistent throughout the whole four-year period.
- Compare it to "McGregor Forever" on Netflix. If you want the full picture, watch Notorious first, then the Netflix series. The contrast in his energy and "hunger" between the two is staggering.
- Look for the cameos. Seeing a young Arnold Schwarzenegger geek out over Conor's training is a weirdly charming moment that shows how fast his gravity was pulling in celebrities.
Basically, if you want a gritty, unbiased look at a complicated man, this isn't it. But if you want to see how a kid with a dream and a big mouth actually backed it up against the best in the world, it's a hell of a ride.
Check the streaming platforms; it usually pops up on Netflix or Amazon Prime depending on your region. Or just find the DVD in a bargain bin—it’s worth the five bucks just for the early Dublin footage alone.