WHEN CONOR McGREGOR returned to Dublin last week for the final leg of promotional duties for UFC 189, he was reminded that today — 6 April — would mark two years since he made his debut for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
“Madness. Absolute madness.”
It took him by surprise, and understandably so. McGregor has achieved so much in that short period, making unprecedented levels of progress in the largest organisation in the world of mixed martial arts. His rapid rise is even more impressive when a nine-month lay-off due to surgery on a knee injury is taken into account.
“I have to pinch myself, honestly,” he said. “Every day I wake up I pinch myself. Two years… that’s no time at all to see what’s after happening, to see how the country is after jumping on board. I’m grateful every single day of my life.”
After making history as a two-division champion on the European circuit with Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, McGregor was signed by the UFC to make his debut in Stockholm on 6 April, 2013.
His American opponent Marcus Brimage had already clocked up a 3-0 record in the octagon, so McGregor was given as tough a task as could be expected for a first-timer. However, the Dubliner made it look easy as he took just 67 seconds to become the first man from the Republic of Ireland to win a fight in the UFC.
‘Sixty G’s baby!’
In his post-fight interview with UFC commentator Kenny Florian, McGregor called for his performance to be rewarded with the $60,000 ‘KO of the Night’ bonus, and UFC president Dana White obliged. It was a nice addition to his reported fight purse of $16,000.
“This is the best moment (of my career) so far,” said McGregor in the post-event press conference. “I didn’t have money before this. I was collecting €188-a-week off the social welfare, and now here I am with a 60 G’s bonus and then my own pay.”
What became of McGregor afterwards? It’s a long story, but the general gist is that everything worked out just fine.
Dole to earning a good living for himself in 2 years, hard work and dedication paid off, fair play.
He’s looked more comfortable with each fight, though I’d say Aldo will be a little more difficult than the rest, but I reckon he will take him out in three.
Can a day not go by without an article about Conor McGregor? FML
Michael, you have the option to ignore the article. Imagine that. It sure as hell beats the multiple daily article on English football and GAA.
Gary, I normally would ignore but this time felt obliged to say something. The article titled ‘Conor McGregor introduced himself on this day in 2013′ piqued my interest. Why is this noteworthy? Why does it need an article? Have UFC and McGregor fans learned anything new that they didn’t know already?
Michael, again, if the article offends you, then just chose not to click into it. There are plenty of MMA fans that don’t follow football etc and they don’t complain about the other sporting articles. It’s not quantum physics.
*choose
It’s noteworthy because 2 years is such a short time for any fighter to make a debut and rise to the top to get a title shot. No one has ever done that before and given the fact he was out for 9 months with a cruciate injury it’s even more impressive.
Some man look quite quiet and innocent back there too.
As Bob Arum said….”one big showera fudgepackers”…megalols