3 years ago, Conor McGregor reached the pinnacle. Can he rise from the depths?

Three years ago today, Conor McGregor became the first fighter in UFC history to capture two belts simultaneously, but he hasn’t won a fight since.

On Nov. 12, 2016, then-featherweight champion McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) defeated then-lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez via second-round TKO in a flawless performance at UFC 205. McGregor then went on to box undefeated Floyd Mayweather in August 2017, putting on a valiant effort in a 10th-round TKO loss. McGregor reportedly made over $100 million and was later stripped of his 155-pound title because of inactivity.

In October 2018, McGregor returned to action after almost two years away from the octagon and took on undefeated lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. McGregor was submitted in the fourth round, and since then has been involved in an array of legal issues.

Many questioned McGregor’s motivation after making so much money, as his issues outside the octagon began to pile up. From smashing a fan’s phone to sucker-punching a man in a pub to being the subject of two sexual assault investigations in the last year, McGregor has found himself battling many legal issues. But it appears he has diverted his attention back to fighting.

He recently announced a Jan. 18 return, with all signs pointing to Donald Cerrone, but can McGregor climb back to the dominant and focused force he once was? He took to Instagram to reflect on his special night three years ago at Madison Square Garden, an iconic moment in his career.

3 years ago today I became a multiple time, multiple-weight World champion at Madison Square Garden, New York City.
What a moment in my life.
To capture the double once. Wow!
To do it twice.
Lord have mercy
I often look at this second picture and imagine how trippy that view must be for my father. Looking up at his son after doing exactly shot for shot what I told him I would do.
I even done it no hands the second time.
I will credit hard work for this moment but it’s not just that.
Hard work alone is not enough.
We can all work hard for a minute. It’s the consistency to do it over and over and over again that will lead you to these iconic moments.
Year after year of focused work!
I worked hard my last two fights. No doubt. But without consistency, I fell short.
All amazing and valuable lessons going forward on this journey that is Martial Life!
Onwards we go…
Happy Tuesday everyone.

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3 years ago today I became a multiple time, multiple-weight World champion at Madison Square Garden, New York City. What a moment in my life. To capture the double once. Wow! To do it twice. Lord have mercy I often look at this second picture and imagine how trippy that view must be for my father. Looking up at his son after doing exactly shot for shot what I told him I would do. I even done it no hands the second time. I will credit hard work for this moment but it’s not just that. Hard work alone is not enough. We can all work hard for a minute. It’s the consistency to do it over and over and over again that will lead you to these iconic moments. Year after year of focused work! I worked hard my last two fights. No doubt. But without consistency, I fell short. All amazing and valuable lessons going forward on this journey that is Martial Life! Onwards we go… Happy Tuesday everyone.

A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Nov 12, 2019 at 5:21am PST

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