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UFC 257: How 10 weeks in Portugal changed Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor lay on the mat of the UFC Octagon looking toward the ceiling, his hands clasped behind his head. It was March 5, 2016, and McGregor's chest was heaving with deep breath after deep breath.

The mixed martial arts superstar had just suffered his first UFC loss, a second-round submission defeat against Nate Diaz. As he stared up at the lights inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and UFC 196 came to a close, McGregor knew why he succumbed.