Conor McGregor’s long-awaited UFC comeback fell apart devastatingly after the Irish MMA icon suffered a knee injury just 69 seconds into his highly anticipated bout with Max Holloway at UFC 329. The injury has raised concerns about the former two-division champion’s fighting future.
As McGregor begins what could be another grueling recovery for at least a year, one person is expected to be by his side through it all. It’s none other than his longtime partner, Dee Devlin.
Long before championship belts, multi-million-dollar paydays and global fame, Devlin stood beside McGregor when he was an aspiring fighter chasing an unlikely dream. Here’s everything to know about the woman who has been his biggest supporter for nearly two decades.
Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin’s love story began long before UFC fame
While McGregor has become one of the biggest names in combat sports, his partner, Dee Devlin, has largely chosen to remain out of the limelight despite being one of the most recognizable partners in the UFC world.
Away from the cameras, she has played a significant role in McGregor’s career, assisting with different aspects of his business ventures while regularly accompanying him to UFC events, press conferences, red carpets, and public appearances. Though she occasionally gives fans a glimpse into their family life through social media, Devlin has always preferred to keep their personal life as private as possible.
The couple’s love story began long before McGregor became a household name. They first met in Ireland while they were still young adults, although McGregor later admitted he had noticed Devlin before they officially met. Their relationship truly began after they struck up a conversation during a night out at a nightclub.
Recalling the moment in an interview with VIP Magazine, McGregor said, “I knew her a bit beforehand, but I think the first time I spoke to her properly was when I saw her in a nightclub. I asked her to come over, and we just started chatting. She seemed like a nice girl, and I like good girls.”
Devlin was also equally drawn to McGregor’s determination and relentless work ethic. At the time, he was still fighting to establish himself in mixed martial arts (MMA), and years away from becoming one of the sport’s biggest stars. As he chased his UFC dream through uncertain financial times, Devlin remained one of his strongest rocks, standing by him even when success seemed more like a far-fetched dream.
In a 2015 interview, McGregor openly acknowledged how important Devlin had been throughout his journey. “My girlfriend has been there since the start,” says the UFC champ. “She has helped me throughout this career. If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.”
In August 2020, McGregor proposed to Devlin during her birthday celebrations. He later announced the engagement on Instagram with a photo showing the couple celebrating, while Devlin flaunted her engagement ring. The UFC star wrote, “What a birthday, my future wife!” After staying engaged for five years, the couple finally tied the knot on December 12, 2025, in a Vatican City wedding ceremony.
The couple welcomed four children together. Their first child, Conor Jack Jr., was born in 2017. Two years later, the family grew again when they welcomed their daughter Croia in 2019. Their third child, Rian, arrived in 2021, followed by their youngest son, Mack, in 2023. While McGregor’s fighting career has remained busy with UFC appearances, business deals, and public controversies, Devlin has largely kept the family side of their lives steady in the background.
Navigating scathing controversies as a unit
McGregor’s ascent to one of the biggest names in combat sports has also been plagued by legal scrutiny and a series of controversies. In 2021, a civil lawsuit was filed by a woman named Nikita Hand, who accused the UFC star of “brutally” raping and assaulting her after she invited him and a friend to a company Christmas party in Dublin in December 2018.
In November 2024, a civil jury found McGregor liable for sexually assaulting Hand and ordered him to pay approximately 250,000 euros (around 257,000 U.S. dollars) in damages, according to the Associated Press and The Guardian. The cases again placed the spotlight on his relationship with Devlin, with many fans noting that the couple has remained together as a unit, despite years of controversies, legal issues and relentless media attention.
Devlin has continued to stand by McGregor publicly, regularly appearing beside him during UFC fight weeks, business launches, family outings and other major milestones. Meanwhile, McGregor has repeatedly spoken about how instrumental she has been in helping him transform from an ambitious young fighter in Dublin into one of the biggest attractions in MMA history.
Now, following another devastating setback that could require months of rehabilitation, Devlin is once again expected to be one of the biggest sources of support as McGregor begins another challenging road to recovery.
Picture credit: thenotoriousmma/Instagram
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