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.
