Gotta be a little mentally off, angry or insecure to fight in MMA.. Trust me on this.. Been there and seen that!!! Conor no different.. My guess he is insecure at some level.. Let me break it down and explain - Take the time to read -
Look at Mike Tyson for example and his up bringing.. It's all the same.. Get wronged in life, no mom and dad and or abusive or neglectful parents growing up. Not sure which is worse? No real male role model and you turn and become angry and self isolated. You have no one but yourself, you are insecure... Got in street fights and you kicked ass after getting your ass kicked. Thought maybe I can kick ass also in the professional sports game maybe.
Male role model then comes along at some point and you latch on.. He pumps you up and says you are this and that and you begin to believe.. Next thing you know you have wrist raps on and gloves and are hitting the heavy bag..
I know these things.. Some people can really kick asss though and have no fear.. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.. So you go for it, you are angry in life and you have no one that loves you.. That's a motivator...
MMA fighters or Boxers you become then.. It's a good way to get your anger and aggressions out as a youth.. Combat sports are good for that... Then there is a brother hood between teams and gyms and that is much like a street gang.. It's feeling like you belong to something and are a family in a sense.. That's human nature, belonging to something!!!
That's keeping it real.. Been in the MMA world since it was originated.. That's what I know, been around rough people also for a long time...