DESPITE BEING DEFEATED by Nate Diaz in his most recent outing, UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor was named ‘Best Fighter’ at the ESPY awards ceremony last night.
As he continues his preparations for his 20 August rematch with Diaz in Las Vegas, McGregor wasn’t in attendance top picked up the award at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
However, the Irish MMA superstar took to Instagram to express his appreciation: “It is an honour to take ‘Best Fighter’ at the prestigious ESPY awards! I am deep in preparation to come and take out everyone that has spoke my name in vain. I will get you all.”
Fans voted for McGregor to win the award ahead of boxing world champions Gennady Golovkin, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Roman Gonzalez, as well as UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler.
Prior to his March setback at the hands of Nate Diaz, McGregor knocked out Jose Aldo to become the UFC’s undisputed featherweight champion in December, having taken the interim title at the expense of Chad Mendes last July.
LeBron James and Breanna Stewart were named best Male and Female Athlete respectively. Robbie Keane won the Best MLS Player award last year, but he’s been succeeded in 2016 by Toronto FC’s Italian striker Sebastian Giovinco. You can view the full list of 2016 winners by clicking here.
