UFC 189: Conor McGregor TKOs Chad Mendes To Win Interim Title (Videos)

What. A. Fight.

Conor McGregor defeated Chad Mendes by TKO at the very end of the second round of UFC 189’s main card Saturday night to become the interim featherweight champion. The fight visually had Mendes’ name all over it, but McGregor held the mental edge — despite a dominant showing from his opponent — and eventually broke through for the victory at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Things looked bleak for the Irishman, who was knocked down twice in the first round by Mendes. McGregor, known for his punches that cut like glass, essentially was helpless on the ground.

Mendes quickly brought McGregor down again in the second round and held him there for the entire five minutes. McGregor essentially was pinned by Mendes, and had this been a wrestling match, he might have been done. But McGregor fought through and jumped up with about 20 seconds left in the second round.

Then the tides turned.

McGregor swung like a mad man, landing a few of his trademark explosion-like punches. Suddenly, one left hook momentarily took the light from Mendes’ eyes. He fell with mere seconds remaining, unconscious.

McGregor immediately jumped on top of Mendes, but the referee quickly ended the fight. Mendes got up shortly after, and the two embraced before leaving the octagon.

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McGregor now is 18-2 and the champ. Mendes fell to 17-3.