McGregor built a career full of successes (Photo: Reproduction Twitter ufcbrasil)
This Saturday (26), in Las Vegas (USA), Conor McGregor will make history when he faces Floyd Mayweather in the boxing superfight, headlining the May-Mac event. Regardless of the result, the Irishman has already put his name in the fight books by becoming the first UFC fighter to challenge a boxing legend.
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In MMA, Conor's numbers are also enviable: the only one to become simultaneous champion of two UFC divisions - featherweight and lightweight -, astronomical salaries, knockout in 13 seconds against his opponent José Aldo, protagonist of UFC 205, held at the historic Madison Square Garden, in New York, 21 wins – 18 by knockout – and just three defeats. Now the challenge is even greater: taking Mayweather's unbeaten record, undefeated in 49 professional duels.
To get in the mood, the SUPER FIGHTS prepared a special about McGregor's career, as he tries to shock the world once again. Check out:
1 – The first steps in MMA
McGregor won 12 fights before joining the UFC (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)
Born in Dublin, Ireland, McGregor took his first steps in MMA in 2008, at the age of 20, when he debuted by knocking out compatriot Gary Morris in Cage of Truth, a small Irish organization. The start, in fact, was not very encouraging, with four triumphs and two setbacks, all played in his home country.
However, the already provocative and aggressive fighter began to attract attention by lining up eight opponents in a row, all dispatched via the fast lane. Along the way, he won the Cage Warriors featherweight and lightweight belts, both in 2012. In four years as a professional, his record already had an impressive record of 12 victories, including 11 knockouts and one submission. At that time, the contract with the UFC was a matter of time.
2 – Devastating start in the UFC
McGregor needed little time to stand out in the UFC (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook ConorMcGregor)
Just four months after winning his second MMA title, there was McGregor, on April 06, 2013, debuting in the biggest fight company in the world. The first victim was the American Marcus Brimage, knocked out in just 68 seconds. Next in line was the current featherweight champion Max Holloway, who made things difficult in the first few minutes, but was defeated by unanimous decision from the local referees – the first points victory of Conor's career.
With 2-0 in Ultimate, combined with a strong personality, the Irishman earned his first main event in the franchise. And it was at home, in Dublin, in July 2014, that McGregor 'put' another opponent in the octagon: the Brazilian Diego Brandao. Then, the knockouts over Dustin poirier and Dennis Siver accredited him for the long-awaited title fight against the hitherto holder of the belt José Aldo, which began to be constantly cited by the European.
3 – The rivalry with José Aldo
Aldo (right) and Conor (left) had an intense rivalry (Photo: Reproduction/Twitter ConorMcGregor)
It's no secret that McGregor has the gift of oratory, but the athlete's talent with the microphone in his hand was known worldwide for his countless provocations to José Aldo. With the man from Manaus ranked number 1 at featherweight, 'The Notorious' knew that the start of a rivalry with the Brazilian would shorten his path to the top. No sooner said than done.
In January 2015, after 5-0 in the UFC, he had a duel against Aldo scheduled for UFC 189, in July, in Las Vegas. With the right to an international tour to promote the confrontation, Conor used and abused jokes to get the Brazilian out of his mind and gain more and more fame on the world MMA scene, especially in Brazil. However, a back injury to the Nova União fighter ended up postponing the long-awaited clash between them – without Aldo, McGregor knocked him out Chad Mendes, who was scheduled with less than 15 days for UFC 189 -, and won the interim belt in the under-66kg division.
The fight between Aldo and Conor was rescheduled for UFC 194, in December 2015. The provocations, as always, dictated the rhythm of the months leading up to the meeting. And for those who expected a balanced battle full of emotion, they had to settle for another show from the Irishman, who shocked the world by knocking out Aldo in just 13 seconds.
Incredulous with the final result, Aldo and his team asked for an immediate rematch, which was not granted. Conor, in turn, had other plans: to make history in the top category, the lightweight category (up to 70kg).
4 – Nate Diaz, the unexpected enemy
McGregor (right) and Diaz (left) faced each other twice (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)
After passing Aldo, The Notorious wasted no time and was scheduled to face another Brazilian at the top: the Rio de Janeiro native Rafael dos Anjos, who reigned in the lightweight division. It turns out that the MMA Gods had another path in store for both of them. Rafa injured his shoulder and left the UFC 196 card, which will take place in March 2016, being replaced by Nate diaz. It was the beginning of a new rivalry.
Against bad boy American, another new feature: debut at welterweight, up to 77kg. In the cage, however, the European was surprised and submitted in the second round, breaking a series of 15 consecutive victories. The setback was not well understood by Conor, who put his foot down and demanded a rematch. His request was accepted by the UFC, which scheduled the second meeting with Nate for August.
At the pre-event press conference, there was another controversy: McGregor and Diaz were involved in a 'bottle fight', an episode that resulted in millionaire fines for both fighters. When they faced each other again, McGregor erased his defeat by overcoming his rival in a majority decision from the side judges. With another chapter closed, it was time to return to the previous plan: the lightweight belt.
5 – Historic feat: two simultaneous belts in the UFC
Conor became UFC featherweight and lightweight champion (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)
Despite holding the featherweight title, McGregor didn't even consider defending his position. Undeterred, he made Ultimate put an interim belt on the line – won by Aldo – and gave him the chance to face Eddie Alvarez, then number 1 in the under-70kg division. The wish, as always, was accepted. And with the right to an 'ideal' scenario.
The reserved stage couldn't be more special: the legendary Madison Square Garden gym in New York. Edition 205, held in November 2016, marked the return of MMA to New York, after years of fighting in court for the sport's release. And there was Conor, the show's main protagonist. Responsibility, by the way, that the Irish master like few others.
In his last act in Ultimate, a memorable performance. Dominating from start to finish, he put on a show for the audience and took out the tough Alvarez for nothing, who succumbed in the second round, no longer able to continue in the fight. In the end, McGregor was there, on top of the octagon fence, showing off another belt for his collection. More than that: on the fateful day of November 12th, his name went down in history as the only fighter to win two UFC belts simultaneously.
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