MMA Legend: A Look at Conor McGregor Through the Years (2 of 8)

What was it about McGregor that caught everyone’s attention? Although smashing people’s faces is pretty much a prerequisite if you want to make it big in MMA, the way in which he did it—in particular his inhuman tenacity—made him a huge fan favorite practically from the start. It wasn’t long until he won both the CWFC Featherweight and Lightweight belts, achieved in June and December of 2012, respectively. 

On July 11, 2015, he faced off against Chad Mendes in Las Vegas for the interim UFC Featherweight Championship. The outcome was never in doubt, with the Irishman giving the California native a beatdown en route to a 2nd round TKO victory. But it was the way he won against long-reigning undisputed champion Jose Aldo that shot him up to stardom. McGregor shocked the MMA world by landing a punch squarely in the Brazilian’s face just 13 seconds into the match, sending him to the floor and becoming the undisputed UFC Featherweight Champion as a result.