A Guide To 8 Conor McGregor Tattoos and What They Mean

Conor McGregor is a former two-division Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion who took the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) by storm. He’s also an ink lover, with this article a guide to eight Conor McGregor tattoos and what they mean. Bursting onto the scene at the age of 18 against Kieran Campbell for the Irish Ring of Truth promotion, McGregor scored a TKO and was quickly fast-tracked for more fights. 

It didn’t take long for the “Notorious” to establish himself in the world of MMA thanks to his outspoken personality, charisma, and willingness to put on a show for the cameras. Signed to UFC by Dana White, it took McGregor a few fights before he truly established himself as a main eventer. Between 2011 and 2015 he went on a 15-fight unbeaten streak which saw him win his first title, the UFC Featherweight Championship. 

One of the best trash talkers in the game, McGregor has beaten the likes of Nate Diaz, José Aldo, Dustin Poirier, and Chad Mendes while also going the distance with Floyd Mayweather in the boxing ring. The UFC star understands controversy creates cash and is never afraid to speak his mind if it draws more eyes to his fights. 

McGregor also has a love for the finer things in life, such as expensive suits and fast cars, but he is also a big fan of tattoos. The fighter has acquired an interesting collection of tattoos over the years, each with its own story and meaning. From a tiger on his chest to a gorilla on his stomach, McGregor’s tattoos are as striking as his fighting style. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and symbolism behind some of Conor McGregor’s most famous tattoos.

A Guide To 8 Conor McGregor Tattoos and What They Mean

1. Arabic Writing Tattoo

This is the first tattoo the Notorious Conor McGregor ever got. Situated just above his left ankle, the ink is a word in Arabic that not even McGregor knows the meaning of. “This was when I was drunk,” McGregor said about the tattoo. “It could mean anything. Arabic writing was the thing for a while, it was the cool thing to do. I got it in Ayia Napa (Cyprus). I was young and on holiday. It cost me €20.”

2. Crucifix Tattoo

On the nape of his neck, Connor McGregor has a tattoo of a crucifix with wings. Many thought the tattoo was McGregor revealing his faith in the Lord, but it turns out the fighter isn’t a fan of religion. He took to Twitter to declare; “Fuck politics and fuck religion. I just want to swing a few lefts and a few rights for a couple of hundred mill in peace.” Fair enough. 

3. Thorny Helix Tattoo 

Tattooed up Connor McGregor’s spine is a thorny helix that he got some time during the early years of his career. There isn’t a lot of information about why he got the ink or what it means, but this type of tattoo is usually associated with religion. As McGregor isn’t a fan of God, it remains a mystery why he decided to go with this particular design. 

4. Rose Bush, Dagger, and Portrait Tattoos

On Connor McGregor’s left forearm is a collection of tattoos done in the American traditional style. He has a rose bush and a clock with the time showing 3:35 pm, although the significance of this remains unknown. Not that this ever bothered McGregor, who has said he is more about style over substance when it comes to ink work.

“You hear people say like they have a goldfish on their ass cheek and it means it’s a symbol of hope. Something like that. I just like the way it looks on my body,” he said. “I don’t spend months picking it, I just see it, get it and just enjoy the experience of being inked on my body for the rest of my life. I don’t know what it is.”

There is also a tattoo of a large dagger, a portrait of a gentleman wearing a top hat, and a pair of cartoon boxing gloves. These pieces were completed by Amanda Bonhomme at Third Street Tattoo in Hermosa Beach. 

5. “Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is Fast” Tattoo

Above the rose bush is the phrase “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” This is a famous saying commonly used by elite military units during firearms training, specifically the Navy SEALs. It could also be a reference to Connor McGregor’s fighting style.

6. Gorilla Tattoo

This tattoo is hard to miss. On his chest, Connor McGregor has the image of a gorilla wearing a crown and eating a heart. This is a tribute to his coach John Kavanagh’s gym, Straight Blast Gym, in Ireland. “My gym’s logo is a Gorilla. It’s not that particular gorilla. But it’s a gorilla,” McGregor said when talking about the tattoo. “So I wanted to get something along with that line. I feel like I am the king Gorilla so I took the crown and I had him eat a heart. It felt right.” McGregor’s gorilla tattoo was also inked by Bonhomme. 

7. Tiger Tattoo

Below his chest piece, Connor McGregor has a tattoo of a tiger on his stomach. He got this piece in April of 2015 at Sideshow Tattoo Venice Beach as he’s a big fan of the courage shown by this animal. “The tiger has been jumping out at me sometimes. It feels like it almost means something. I think tiger is a courageous animal. So I like the tiger and I decided to go and get it,” McGregor commented. The artist responsible is a tattooist named Pin. 

The story behind the tattoo experience was shared by Sideshow Tattoo Venice Beach in an interview with Tattoo Filter. “Conor McGregor was a walk in. He just came in and asked if we can tattoo a tiger on his stomach. He said he was a UFC fighter… but at that time we didn’t know him. Then all of a sudden we were like, ‘Wow, he’s a badass!'”

8. Connor/Notorious Tattoo

Just in case you aren’t sure who he is, Connor McGregor got his name tattooed on his stomach. Not long after getting his tiger tattoo, McGregor returned to Sideshow Tattoo Venice Beach and requested the artist Pin to tattoo in stencil writing “Connor” and “Notorious” on top and below the tiger tattoo.