Stockholm, Sweden, performed host to the UFC debut of a charismatic younger man on April 6, 2013. Unbeknownst to most, the world was getting its first glimpse of a cult of persona that might seize management of fight sports activities. His identify was Conor McGregor.
McGregor, 24, entered the Octagon for the primary time towards “The Ultimate Fighter 14” alum Marcus Brimage. The Irishman’s fireplace contained in the cage matched his confidence within the pre-fight buildup. McGregor had Brimage trying like a bobblehead, bouncing his head up and down with a barrage of uppercuts that introduced the battle to a halt a few minute after it began.
McGregor, in talking with the media after the battle, could have started his “Mystic Mac” persona with how he mentioned his intentions of going for finishes.
“I at all times really feel like when guys will likely be saying, ‘Let’s go get Fight of the Night,’ they usually rise up and say, ‘Let’s get Fight of the Night.’ I do not perceive that. To me that is a loss. Fight of the Night’s a loss,” McGregor stated. “Because meaning the competition must be shut, and I’m not searching for shut. I need to dominate and get the win. I feel guys that say that—’Let’s get Fight of the Night’—I feel that is promoting themselves brief. You can inform the place their profession goes simply by that remark alone.”
He clearly additionally had the attention of UFC president Dana White, who was totally impressed.
“I’m blown away. First of all, it is his first battle ever within the UFC; he walked out tonight and received within the Octagon prefer it was his one hundredth battle within the UFC,” White stated. “From the minute the bell began, he was good and relaxed and moved round, and even after he will get the knockout, it is like he is been right here earlier than and completed it 100 instances. Kid was completely relaxed, he is a beast, I’m impressed.”
It was a cataclysmic rise from there on out. McGregor blew previous 4 extra opponents, together with a younger future UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway and destined rival Dustin Poirier, to place himself for a UFC title shot. McGregor’s performances within the cage spoke for themselves, however his brash persona expedited the method. A comeback win towards Chad Mendes earned him the UFC interim featherweight championship and a surprising 13-second KO of Jose Aldo promoted him to the undisputed champ.
