WITH A UFC title belt wrapped around his waist, Conor McGregor told the thousands of Irish fans packed into the MGM Grand Garden: “I’ve done this for us!”
McGregor landed a barrage of punches to stop Chad Mendes late in the second round and claim the interim featherweight title, setting up a mouthwatering showdown against Jose Aldo later this year.
Aldo was originally due to defend his title against McGregor at UFC 189 but the champion pulled out through injury.
And The Notorious warned him — your day will come.
McGregor was clearly emotional as he celebrated with his family and team inside the Octagon in the early hours of Suday morning.
“I’m absolutely blown away by the support,” he said. “I can’t put into words how grateful I am to everyone who has supported me and followed.
“It’s why I stood in there, showed up here. So much went on in the build-up to this, so much media obligation, I travelled the world twice.
To come in here and to hear all the support yesterday and today, I’m shaking with it.
Mendes, the featherweight division’s number one contender, was drafted in as a late replacement for the injured Aldo.
It was the first time that McGregor has faced an elite wrestler, and he answered any questions about his ability to mix it with the best.
“I’ve been hearing all the time that I’ve been protected from this style of opponent, that I’ve been gifted a title shot.
When my title shot went running and they gave me the challenge that I was supposed to be protected from, I knew this was when I’d prove to people that I’m a true fighter.
“It doesn’t matter who it is. I show up. I’m a professional, I come in here and I fight and I’m confident in my abilities.
“I’ve done this for us. I’ve done this for us.”
UFC President Dana White said this week that if McGregor beat Mendes, his next fight would be a unification bout against Aldo in Las Vegas.
Win that, and his first title defence is likely to take place in Croke Park.
“In my opinion, Jose went running,” McGregor said.
“I had bigger injuries in the lead up to this fight than that bruised rib and I still showed up here and performed.
Jose’s gone running. If he wants to come back, he can come back but I swear to God, his day will come.
