Before his return fight, the must-watch Conor McGregor documentary is Conor McGregor: Notorious (2017), with McGregor Forever (2023) serving as an excellent companion for a fuller view of his journey. Conor McGregor has experienced one of the most dramatic careers in mixed martial arts, rising from an unknown prospect to one of the UFC's biggest global stars. His return to competition has renewed interest in the moments that defined his journey, both inside and outside the Octagon.

For fans looking to revisit that journey before fight night, two documentaries stand out. While each explores a different chapter of McGregor's life, one is better suited to capture the excitement of his rise before moving on to the challenges that followed.

For anyone choosing just one title, Conor McGregor: Notorious (2017) is the strongest pick before his return fight. The feature-length documentary follows McGregor's transformation from a struggling fighter living in Dublin to becoming the UFC's first simultaneous two-division champion. Packed with behind-the-scenes footage, career-defining rivalries, and his trademark confidence, it captures the energy that made "The Notorious" a global phenomenon. 

Those looking for a more complete picture can follow it with McGregor Forever (2023). The four-part Netflix docuseries focuses on the years after his peak, covering high-profile defeats, the leg injury that sidelined him, his rehabilitation, and the personal challenges of rebuilding his career. Together, the two projects tell the full story, but Notorious remains the ideal starting point for fans seeking a pre-fight hype boost.

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Conor McGregor's return has also kept him in the spotlight beyond the UFC, with one of his recent television appearances becoming part of an unexpected entertainment debate.

Comedian Kathy Griffin recently drew attention to Connor McGregor's June 16, 2026, appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon while discussing her own absence from the NBC late-night program. In an Instagram video, Griffin said she believes she has been unofficially blacklisted, adding that she has not appeared on the show since it aired in its earlier 12:30 a.m. time slot and suggesting she may be viewed as "too controversial."

Kathy Griffin questioned why McGregor was invited despite his own controversial public image, using his appearance to illustrate her point. However, Variety reported that a representative for The Tonight Show called her claim "entirely false," while a spokesperson for Jimmy Fallon declined to comment. The exchange added another headline to McGregor's eventful comeback period, keeping his name in conversations both inside and outside the sports world.

Both documentaries are worth watching, but Conor McGregor: Notorious remains the best choice before McGregor's return fight thanks to its fast-paced look at his rise to UFC superstardom. McGregor Forever serves as an ideal follow-up, offering insight into the setbacks, recovery, and determination that have shaped the latest chapter of his career.

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Which Conor McGregor documentary will be on the watchlist before his return fight - Notorious, McGregor Forever, or both? Let us know in the comments!