Conor McGregor is widely known as the knockout king of mixed martial arts. From his early days on the European circuit to becoming the biggest superstar in UFC history, McGregor built his reputation on explosive striking, precise timing, and brutal finishes.
Most fans remember him for left-hand knockouts, title belts, and record-breaking pay-per-view numbers.
But MMA is a complete sport. No matter how dangerous a fighter is on the feet, the ground game can change everything in seconds.
While Conor McGregor has knocked out the majority of his opponents, there are a few fighters who have done what very few could: submit Conor McGregor and force him to tap.
In this article, we will break down every confirmed submission loss of Conor McGregor, based strictly on real fight history.
From his third professional bout to the biggest fights of his career, these moments shaped his journey and legacy.
Conor McGregor: The Knockout Specialist
Before diving into the submission losses, it’s important to understand why these moments stand out so much.
Conor McGregor became famous because:
- He finished most of his fights by KO or TKO
- He dominated opponents with striking accuracy
- He rarely allowed fights to go to the ground on his terms
- He mentally broke opponents with confidence and pressure
By the time he reached the UFC, McGregor was already known as a finisher. That’s why every submission loss in his career became a major talking point.
Artemij Sitenkov Submits Conor McGregor (2008)
The Fight That Shocked McGregor Early
The first submission loss of Conor McGregor’s career came very early, just his third professional fight.
- Opponent: Artemij Sitenkov
- Date: 28 June 2008
- Event: Cage of Truth
- Method: Kneebar
- Round: 1
- Time: First minute
At just 19 years old, Conor McGregor was still learning the professional MMA game.
Facing Artemij Sitenkov, McGregor entered aggressively, as he always did. However, once the fight went to the ground, Sitenkov showed superior leg-lock awareness.
Within the first minute of round one, Sitenkov secured a tight kneebar, forcing McGregor to tap. It was a painful and humbling loss.
Why This Submission Matters
- It exposed McGregor’s early weakness in leg-lock defense
- It happened before he was physically mature
- It played a role in shaping his later focus on movement and striking
This loss is often forgotten by casual fans, but it remains a key part of Conor McGregor’s professional record.
Joe Duffy Submits Conor McGregor (2010)
The Most Overlooked Submission Loss
The second submission loss of Conor McGregor came two years later, and this one surprised many at the time.
- Opponent: Joe Duffy
- Date: 27 November 2010
- Event: CWFC 39
- Method: Arm-triangle choke
- Round: 1
Joe Duffy, another Irish fighter, faced McGregor in Cage Warriors. Early in the fight, Duffy managed to take McGregor down and slowly applied pressure from the top position.
Once Duffy locked in the arm-triangle choke, McGregor had no escape. He tapped in the first round, marking the second submission loss of his career.
What Changed After This Loss
This fight became a turning point.
After losing to Joe Duffy:
- Conor McGregor went on an eight-fight winning streak
- Every one of those wins came by finish
- He earned attention from major promotions
- He eventually signed with the UFC
This submission loss did not break him, it sharpened him.
Nate Diaz Submits Conor McGregor (UFC 196)
The Night the UFC Was Shocked
After dominating the UFC featherweight division and winning six straight fights, Conor McGregor entered UFC 196 as the biggest star in the sport.
- Opponent: Nate Diaz
- Date: 6 March 2016
- Method: Rear-naked choke
- Round: 2
Originally scheduled to fight Rafael dos Anjos, McGregor instead accepted a late replacement bout against Nate Diaz at welterweight.
McGregor started strong, landing heavy shots. But as the fight progressed, fatigue set in. Diaz absorbed the strikes, pressured forward, and eventually forced the fight to the ground.
Once on the mat, Diaz took McGregor’s back and applied a rear-naked choke. Conor McGregor tapped, shocking the MMA world.
Why This Submission Was Historic
- It was McGregor’s first UFC loss
- It ended his unbeaten UFC run
- It proved cardio and grappling still mattered
- It led to one of the biggest rivalries in UFC history
This fight changed how fans and fighters viewed Conor McGregor.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Submits Conor McGregor (UFC 229)
The Most Watched Submission Loss Ever
The final submission loss of Conor McGregor came in one of the most talked-about fights in UFC history.
- Opponent: Khabib Nurmagomedov
- Date: 7 October 2018
- Event: UFC 229
- Method: Rear-naked choke
- Round: 4
The rivalry between McGregor and Khabib was intense, personal, and global. Inside the cage, Khabib executed his game plan perfectly, pressure, takedowns, control, and damage.
By the fourth round, McGregor was exhausted. Khabib took his back and locked in a rear-naked choke, forcing McGregor to tap once again.
Impact of This Submission
- It ended McGregor’s lightweight title hopes
- It remains the highest-selling UFC event ever
- It highlighted the gap between elite grappling and striking
- It became one of the most replayed moments in UFC history
Complete List: Fighters Who Submitted Conor McGregor
Here is a quick summary:
- Artemij Sitenkov – Kneebar (2008)
- Joe Duffy – Arm-triangle choke (2010)
- Nate Diaz – Rear-naked choke (UFC 196, 2016)
- Khabib Nurmagomedov – Rear-naked choke (UFC 229, 2018)
What These Submission Losses Mean for McGregor’s Legacy
Despite these losses, Conor McGregor’s legacy remains intact.
- He revolutionized MMA promotion
- He became a global sports icon
- He held titles in two UFC weight divisions
- He changed how fighters market themselves
Every great fighter has weaknesses. What matters is how those moments shape a career — and in McGregor’s case, they made his story even bigger.
Final Thoughts
Conor McGregor will always be remembered as a knockout artist first. But the fighters who submitted to him played an important role in his journey.
Each submission loss came at a different stage of his career and taught different lessons.
From early setbacks to massive UFC moments, these fights prove one thing, even the most dangerous fighters in MMA can be forced to tap.
If you’re a true MMA fan, understanding these moments helps you understand Conor McGregor better, not just as a striker, but as a complete fighter in the toughest sport on earth.