Conor McGregor finally was able to silence the doubters.
Facing a decorated wrestler for the first time in his UFC tenure, the “Notorious” Irishman shrugged off multiple Chad Mendes takedowns to finish his opponent at the 4:57 mark of the second round to claim the interim featherweight strap in the UFC 189 headliner at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Now, a potentially lucrative showdown with reigning 145-pound king Jose Aldo looms large.
McGregor was hardly the only star of the event, however. Robbie Lawler successfully defended his welterweight strap in a bloody rematch with Rory MacDonald in the co-headliner.