Conor McGregor vs. Chad Mendes: UFC Interim Featherweight Title Fight Highlights

The Stakes and Early Exchanges

• 🏆 The fight was for the interim featherweight belt, with both fighters coming out ready to engage.
• 🥋 Chad Mendes immediately sought to utilize his wrestling, while Conor McGregor landed an early spinning back kick and elbow.
• 💬 The fighters were seen smiling and taunting each other, indicating the intensity of the matchup.

Mendes' Grappling Strategy

• 🤼 Mendes secured his first takedown of the night, showcasing his record for most takedowns in UFC featherweight history.
• 🩸 McGregor sustained blood by his right eye, and Mendes attempted a guillotine choke in the final seconds of round one.
• 💪 Mendes continued to inflict damage with elbows while in McGregor's closed guard, despite McGregor talking to him.

McGregor's Striking and Resilience

• 🦵 McGregor effectively used left kicks to the body and straight left hands throughout the fight.
• 🥊 He displayed beautiful boxing, landing combinations and cutting off the octagon early in the fight.
• 🗣️ While on the ground, McGregor was talking to Mendes and even asked the referee, Herb Dean, why they weren't standing up.

Turning Point and Finish

• 🚀 McGregor stuffed a late takedown attempt by Mendes with 20 seconds remaining in the fight.
• 👑 Conor McGregor was declared the winner by TKO, becoming the UFC interim featherweight champion.