Conor McGregor Talks Return to UFC, Origin of His "Notorious" Nickname | The Tonight Show

-Welcome back to the show, Conor.

You don't have to bring me gifts.

-This is my new cigar brand, the Unapologetic, in celebration of the Knicks victory.

-Oh! Look at that. Whoo!

-There you go. Gold, baby! We did it!

-They did it. -They did it.

-Very generous, yeah. Did you watch?

It was exciting, right? -Very good, very good.

-Yeah. -The World Cup is here, as well, right? -Everything's happening.

-It's great. It's awesome. It's brilliant.

-Last time we were here, do you remember, we went out drinking.

-That's right, that's right. Paddy Reilly's bar.

-We did. Yeah. -A little sing-song.

-Yeah, a little sing-song. -We have to do it again.

-I know. Now it's your big return to the UFC.

Conor, what's -- what's happening?

-Ready to rock, my man. Five years out of the game.

And I'm back. I'm excited to get back.

Thank you so much, guys.

Thank you.

-You're considered to be one of the best MMA fighters in the world, and you became the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes at the same time, my man. -That's right, that's right.

-Yes. -The double champ.

-Yeah, the double champ. -The champ, champ.

-But then you also -- -And it happened here in New York City. -Yeah.

-New York City, Madison Square Garden, same place.

-Then you also knocked someone out in 13 seconds once.

I always wanted to ask, did you wish it lasted a little longer?

Were you happy? -No. You know what?

Ecstatic. Gone.

In and out. Gone. -Yeah, exactly.

-We don't get paid by the hour in there.

You know, it's -- it's a dangerous game.

-It's a dangerous game.

What do you feel when you step into the Octagon?

-You know, you have to be calm. You have to be composed.

You have to trust your training and your discipline.

It's where -- You know, there's no hiding in the Octagon.

If you've maybe missed a training session or skipped a meal or, you know, ate something you shouldn't have or, you know, lived a life not of discipline, it's going to show in there.

So if you put in the work and you make that walk, you just trust your work, trust your discipline, trust what you've done and hope it all turns out well.

-Where did the -- Where did you get "The Notorious"?

-My nickname is The Notorious.

My fight name is Notorious.

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.

-That was your name in his phone?

-That was my name in his phone. Yeah, Trouble.

Now, I was only a young guy. But, you know, it's just -- I was just notorious for it. That's it.

And then it became -- it became that.

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.

-Well -- Last time you were here -- -It fits.

It fits, right? It fits.

-If I had a nickname, what would my nickname be?

-Your fighting name? -Yeah.

-I'd have to see a fight.

I'd have to see you shadowbox.

Throw a few shots.

Throw a little punch at you.

Ohh.

That's not bad. That's not bad.

How about Jimmy "The Slow Jammer" Fallon?

- -I know you like to sing a song.

Slow Jammer, that's good, isn't it?

The Slow Jammer Fallon. -I'll take that one.

Uh, last time you were here, you brought a couple of the kids or one of the kids.

How's the family doing? -Very good. Four children now.

Four children now.

Four children and blessed, blessed.

-And you said that they're all -- they're all training.

You think they want to -- -They're training and living a good, healthy lifestyle, for sure.

I'm going to bring them to the bout, also.

I've been debating it.

You know, it is a dangerous game, but I want to show them what discipline and what dedication and commitment to your craft can achieve.

They're going to see their father walk out and see the adoration of 20,000 or 30,000 fans and, you know, a great performance.

And I want to show them that this is what -- this is what hard work gets you.

-Yeah. -So that's what I'm going to do.

-You want to see, uh -- Do you want to see something really cute?

This is the baby. This is Mack McGregor.

He's 2 years old.

He's ready to go.

He's ready for the fight. Yeah, look at that.

That's Mack McGregor, my latest-born son.

2 years of age he is. -Congratulations.

-Mack means "son of" in Irish.

So son of McGregor. -Come on, bud.

-Mack McGregor.

-So here we are, UFC 329 -- McGregor vs. Holloway 2.

How has it been getting back in the routine?

-Incredible. -You liked it?

-You know, I'm born for this.

I'm not born for anything else.

I have had my hand in a few pies.

I've done some things.

I've done a movie here and there.

I've done other things.

But fighting is my bread and butter.

It's what -- It's what lights a fire in my belly.

And to be back and to be doing my thing with structure and discipline, it's the best version of me, and I'm happy to be back.

And I'm excited to put on a show for the fans.

-Good for you, bud.

It is July 11th in Las Vegas, and July 11th is a very important date for you, because you won your very first UFC title on July 11, 2015.

What would -- What would you say to 2015 Conor McGregor if you could -- as he heads into his -- -Keep going, kid.

The game is yours.

-Yeah. -The game is yours, kid.

Don't listen to none of them.

-Yeah! Come on! -Don't listen to none of them.

You got this. -Don't listen to none of them.

That's what I'm talking about.

Conor McGregor!

UFC 329 is streaming live from Las Vegas July 11th on Paramount+.

We'll be right back.