At the UFC 202 press conference last week, Conor McGregor insisted he would continue to "dominate" the UFC featherweight division.
He was even present on Saturday night at UFC 200 to watch Jose Aldo beat Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 and set up a rematch for the title of undisputed featherweight champion.
But before McGregor dethroned Aldo last December in just 13 seconds at UFC 194, the Irishman enjoyed a historic night in Las Vegas.
A photo posted by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on
On 12 July 2015, McGregor was supposed to take on Aldo. The fight was months in the making but came to a head when he confronted the Brazilian after his bout with Dennis Siver in Boston. The 27-year-old hopped the Octagon cage and raced to confront his enemy.
The media circus surrounding the bout was huge, the pair had press conferences in Brazil and Ireland as well as all across America.
But with less than a month to go before the fight, Jose Aldo was forced to pull out of the fight with injury.
In his place came Chad Mendes, a renowned wrestler in the featherweight division and a challenge the likes of which McGregor was yet to encounter.
The prize would be the title of interim featherweight champion and a shot at Aldo when he returned to fitness. Under the lights in Las Vegas, McGregor made his way out as Sinead O'Connor sang the Foggy Dew live in the MGM Grand and history was made.
McGregor warms up before the start of the bout
Mendes and McGregor trade blows in the first round
Mendes takes McGregor down numerous times during the bout
The American mounts McGregor and begins to deliver a number of hard elbows to his head
McGregor struggles to cope with the physicality of Mendes
McGregor gets back to his feet toward the end of the second round and begins to land the telling blows
One big strong left hand shot is all it takes
Mendes is beaten in the dying embers of the second round
McGregor celebrates with his team and coach, John Kavanagh
The Irishman is emotional after the fight
McGregor receives treatment for a cut above his eye
He thanks the travelling Irish for their support
A shot of the UFC Featherweight Championship belt
History
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