Although height is not a huge factor in UFC as it can be in sports such as basketball, it’s still key in winning MMA bouts, as a taller fighter boasts a longer reach among other things. For a striker such as Conor McGregor, a long reach can have an instrumental impact on the way he fights, and ultimately, the difference in the outcome of his fights.
When a bout is fought on the feet, a striker with a longer reach can unleash his attack and fight at a distance. This makes it difficult for a shorter opponent to launch his own offence because he has to eat punches and kicks just to be able to get within striking distance.
For McGregor, having the reach advantage helps him set up his big money punches while keeping himself far from harm’s way.
What is Conor McGregor’s Height?
When it comes to the UFC, the promotion has a website called ufcstats.com which lists the official statistics of its fighters. According to that website, Conor McGregor is 5 ft 9 in or 175.26 cm tall.
At that height, the Irishman is right between the average height of a UFC lightweight ( 5 ft 8 in ) and a UFC welterweight ( 5 ft 10 in ). Looking at McGregor’s fight resume, his last bout was fought at lightweight which means he is slightly taller than the average UFC lightweight.
How did McGregor Stack Up Against His Opposition?
In his last bout, Conor McGregor fought Dustin Poirier at the main event of UFC 264 last July 10, 2021. Although the Diamond surrendered two inches in reach against The Notorious, Poirier stood 5-9 tall, equaling McGregor.
Meanwhile, Conor McGregor stood one inch shorter during his UFC 229 loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov who was listed at 5-10 tall. McGregor even faced a more significant height disadvantage when he fought Nate Diaz at UFC 196 and UFC 202. Diaz is listed at six feet tall by the UFC, giving him a 3-inch height edge against the Irishman. Nate is the tallest opponent that McGregor has faced in the UFC.
Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler
Conor McGregor is currently coaching in the 31st edition of The Ultimate Fighter television series opposite former Bellator lightweight king Michael Chandler. The competition runs from May 30 to August 15 with the live finale scheduled later this year. As with the tradition of the Contender Series, the UFC intend for the coaches to square off after the conclusion of the tournament.
Ideally, the coaches will fight in the season finale or during an event that will take place shortly after the end of the tournament. But in the case of McGregor and Chandler, it could take much longer – if at all – since McGregor missed the June 16 deadline to re-enrol in the UFC’s drug testing pool to be eligible to fight in the promotion’s last PPV event of the year. Should this fight happen, McGregor will have a one-inch reach advantage over the 5-8 Chandler.