McGregor’s fastest win came in 2011, when he dispatched Paddy Doherty in just four seconds.
Advertisement
The Notorious One, as McGregor is known in UFC, had waited a long time to get his chance against Aldo, and having ended his opponent’s 11-year unbeaten MMA streak, he was determined to party till dawn as he hosted the after party.
With over 12-months of hype surrounding this title, the excitement in the air was palpable as McGregor, the interim feather champion, entered the arena opposite the Aldo, the reigning featherweight champion.
One of McGregor’s former foes, Max Holloway, earned a seventh straight win with a unanimous decision over featherweight Jeremy Stephens – earning two scorecard nods of 30-27 and one of 29-28.
But as always, the words that mattered were McGregor’s.
Hello and welcome to coverage of UFC 194: Jose Aldo vs Conor McGregor on VAVEL UK. Engaging immediately, Aldo attempted a wide left hook, but before it got close, McGregor landed flush with a short left hook and Aldo collapsed to the mat.
That was Conor McGregor’s bold claim at the Go Big event ahead of UFC 194.
So we’ll just have to wait to see how this turns out – will the UFC bend and allow Conor to keep his championship while fighting in another division?
A move from 145lb to 155lb appears to be something that appeals to McGregor but he won’t be surrendering his featherweight crown in the process. So, I’m an active champion.
But despite the definitive outcome of the fight Aldo, who defended his UFC belt seven times, believes he should have an immediate rematch. “He caught me (after the wheel kick) and broke me down with it. It probably wasn’t the smartest move”.
“It’s not the same when you fight me, it’s a whole other ball game, a whole other pressure bubble. I’m going to embarrass Jose in there”, he promised.
“The whole world is looking at our country so I’m very very proud of that and I’m very very grateful”. “Maybe I can these days”, he said.
‘He threw a left cross which I wasn’t expecting, ‘ he said of the knockout punch.
Advertisement
Overall, McGregor’s post-fight press conference was a brilliant tactical display of self-promotion. “I wish him well, but now we’re to the next chapter”. “It’s been a long road and I appreciate that he showed up here and made the journey because I’ve no doubt that there were options to pull out like the last time but this time he stuck around”.
