Director: Gavin Fitzgerald
Release date: 1st November 2017
Conor McGregor. It’s almost impossible not to have heard of him. This new documentary charts the humble beginnings and meteoric rise to fame of Ireland, and possibly the Worlds, biggest MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter. We are shown photos and video of the young Conor, a boy whose self-belief was far beyond that of your average Dublin teenager. He began training at a young age and slowly but surely he got stronger and better. The film begins in the present day. We see a huge house up in the hills surrounding Las Vegas and its’ bright lights. Time flashes back to four years ago. Conor is in debt but still decides to quit his job and focus solely on his training. He talks about his childhood and of how he trains every day. There’s footage of his very first fight in 2007. He’s still very much honing his craft but his self-belief is unwavering. By 2013 he’s fighting in the UFC in Sweden, and the money has begun to start rolling in. His rise to fame is rapid. In May of 2016, he’s all set to fight Jose Aldo, but unfortunately a physical injury gets in the way. Conor is at the top of his game but the only way is up..
This ‘access all areas’ documentary was filmed over a four year period and is produced by Conor, himself. We see him and his girlfriend, Dee living in his mum’s spare bedroom in Lucan, Co. Dublin, struggling to make ends meet but then just a few short years later the couple have their own massive house in Kildare with his and hers cars outside.
Before I saw this documentary I would have said I really don’t like Conor McGregor, in any way, shape or form. He’s come across as being extremely big headed and poser-y in the past and that hasn’t exactly endeared him to me. Now, this might sound a bit bizarre but after seeing this documentary, I am now seeing Conor McGregor in a slightly different light. When you see his background and the obstacles he overcame, then it’s very easy to think of him in a different way. I don’t know if anyone else who watches this documentary will feel differently after watching it but I’m sure that people who watch this will feel entertained. There seems to be no façade whatsoever with Conor.. what you see is what you get.
A real ‘rags to riches’ story, Notorious is a film that will entertain more than just fans of MMA and UFC. If you were ever curious as to who the _real_ Conor McGregor is, then give this a watch. Yes, he is very cocky and sure of himself but it certainly seems as though this is what has made him into the man he is today.
Overall: 7.5/10
