​Conor McGregor’s “billionaire strut,” explained: how the UFC star popularized the swagger walk originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a preferred source by clicking here. Many UFC fans have been eager to see McGregor return to the octagon, and that anticipation will peak this Saturday. With his return could come the legendary “billionaire strut.” This flamboyant entrance first appeared nearly a decade ago at UFC 205 and has since become a hallmark of McGregor’s persona. The Irish fighter uses the walk to broadcast his supreme confidence, keeping his shoulders pulled back and his chest lifted as if he’s a billionaire striding into the arena.
Whether fans will witness the billionaire strut on fight night remains uncertain. If it makes an appearance, McGregor’s supporters will be reminded of the days when their champion sat at or near the top of the UFC ladder. Here is a breakdown of McGregor’s famous strut, a moment that may or may not resurface during his return.
McGregor’s signature cagewalk, known as the “billionaire strut,” typically involves a regal, almost pompous promenade. The shoulders are pushed back, the chest protrudes, and the arms swing forward and back in a deliberate, ostentatious rhythm. It’s a theatrical display that signals dominance and self-belief as he makes his way to the octagon.
Reports indicate McGregor first unveiled the billionaire strut on November 12, 2016, at UFC 205. During his prime, the walk was a staple of his in-cage routine. Whether a 2026 version will accompany his latest return remains to be seen. For context, this strut has become synonymous with McGregor’s pre-fight ritual, a flamboyant prelude to the action inside the cage.
In describing the strut, it’s widely noted that McGregor’s walk features an exaggerated, confident cadence. The arms swing with purpose, and the chest leads the movement as he positions himself to capture the crowd’s attention. The aim is to project invincibility and swagger, a hallmark of McGregor’s brand.
A quick refresher on the origins: McGregor reportedly performed the billionaire strut for the first time ahead of his UFC 205 bout, specifically in the lightweight title clash against Eddie Alvarez. This moment has since been captured in various compilations and replays, illustrating the striking image that defined McGregor’s early octagon entrances.
In a 2017 interview, McGregor pointed to Vince McMahon of WWE as an inspirational figure behind the strut, noting, “I perfected it. Vince is a legend. I love Vince. Vince McMahon is a mad b—tard, he’s a mad man.” That comment underscored the performative, larger-than-life aspect of the walk—a blend of sports spectacle and showmanship.
The foundational technique of the billionaire strut begins with a deliberate posture: lean back so the chest sits above the back, elevating the body’s silhouette as the walk commences. Once the posture is set, the arms begin their forward-and-back motion in a measured, exaggerated rhythm. The trick is finding the right balance—neither too slow nor too frantic—to maintain a sense of controlled grandiosity while remaining coherent as a fighter entering the cage. As always with McGregor’s persona, the goal is to project confidence, dominance, and an air of inevitability as the spectacle unfolds.
Whether the 2026 comeback will feature the iconic billionaire strut remains a topic of curiosity among fans and analysts alike. If McGregor chooses to unleash it again, supporters will relish that familiar page in his legacy—the moment when swagger met sport in a way that few athletes can replicate.