Conor McGregor wasted no time returning to the win column in a big way at UFC 246, and his fellow fighters took notice.
Love him or hate him you will watch him. Conor McGregor proved exactly why at UFC 246. In his return to action for the first time since a crushing defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, McGregor looked like a new fighter. With a whole new bag of tricks he used to quickly destroy the rugged Cowboy Cerrone.
Shoulder strikes appeared to have broken Cowboy’s nose after an opening McGregor left hand. The Irish star threw a flying knee. A head kick connected. Cerrone was wobbled, and McGregor went in for the kill. Ref Herb Dean gave Cowboy every opportunity to survive, but after the kick, he simply couldn’t defend himself.
Post-fight with Joe Rogan, McGregor alternated between humble and boisterous. Noting he was the first man to achieve knockouts in three weight classes in the UFC, he called out “Etch my name in history one more time! For the Irish people, for me mom back home!”
“I’ve got work to do to get back to where I was,” McGregor later admitted, saying it will be back to the gym after the victory celebration. Which will, of course, involve his Proper 12 whiskey.
McGregor will likely always be a controversial figure, but at UFC 246 in Las Vegas, for 40 seconds at least, McGregor was once again the uncrowned king of the sport.
See how the pros reacted to McGregor’s stunning defeat of Cerrone below — including rivals Nate Diaz and Justin Gaethje.
HE. IS. BACK.
🇮🇪 @TheNotoriousMMA CLOSES THE SHOW EARLY! WOW! #UFC246 pic.twitter.com/0B0NXbi6pY
— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2020
The doubters
I see you out there using my moves.
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) January 16, 2020
Weak as fuck
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) January 19, 2020
I feel like that was some boxing bullshit set up to lose –#ufc246 don’t believe it!!
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) January 19, 2020
They’re not surprised… wait, yes they are
I was not expecting that…#UFC246
— Alesha Zappitella (@aleshazapp) January 19, 2020
#UFC246 pic.twitter.com/i801FB2vdX
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) January 19, 2020
Ha. What the fook was that???
— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) January 19, 2020
The king is back!
— Adam Milstead (@AdamMilstead) January 19, 2020
Holy shit
— Bryce Mitchell (@ThugnastyMMA) January 19, 2020
AMAZING!!!!!! @TheNotoriousMMA #ufc246
— Katlyn Chookagian (@blondefighter) January 19, 2020
Wish we got to see more of this fight but wow! Beautiful!
— Randa Markos (@randamma) January 19, 2020
One thing for sure , Conor comes out ready to put people away! Supreme killer instinct #UFC246
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) January 19, 2020
WHAT A PERFORMANCE!! @TheNotoriousMMA #UFC246
— Edmen Shahbazyan (@edmenshahbazyan) January 19, 2020
@GamebredFighter vs @TheNotoriousMMA that’s the money fight. Make that shit happen! #UFC246
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) January 19, 2020
The shoulder strikes though
You think McGregors shoulder strikes would be more or less devastating at 145? 🤔🤔🤔 Seriosuly tho I’m in awe, has anyone done that before in MMA? #UFC246
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) January 19, 2020
That’s a joke to get borderline tko from shoulder strikes
— Chris Wade (@CWadeMMA) January 19, 2020
Wow is right!
Wow!!!!! #ufc246 https://t.co/yqpLzLI6td
— Max Griffin (@MaxPainGriffin) January 19, 2020
Great matchmaking by UFC, Conor looks great. Next fight is huge https://t.co/sPpvAOuUSj
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) January 19, 2020
Come try and get that make believe belt! Joe just let Conor deflect from the Masvidal fight. #UFC246
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) January 19, 2020
#UFC246 pic.twitter.com/pEE6trDSBg
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) January 19, 2020
Ok ok you talked me into it…I’ll accept your challenge you nice respectful guy you! @TheNotoriousMMA #UFC246
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) January 19, 2020
Wow @ufc pic.twitter.com/6qJDR09ATu
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) January 19, 2020
I don’t care what anybody says or anybody thinks I want some of that I need to test myself against that at some point in my career hats off to @TheNotoriousMMA
— Luis Antonio Pena (@violentbobross) January 19, 2020
Give me @TheNotoriousMMA vs @GamebredFighter #UFC246
— Gerald Meerschaert (@The_Real_GM3) January 19, 2020
Too easy for this guy! @TheNotoriousMMA
— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) January 19, 2020
Ohhhhhhh!!!!!!!
He's fucking back y'all 👏🏻👏🏻 The Notorious is fucking back!! Let's gooooo!!! #RedPantyNight #UFC246
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) January 19, 2020
OMG MCGREGOR!!!! HE IS BACK!! #UFC246
— Mike Trizano (@TheLoneWolfMMA) January 19, 2020
That man is good. Bitch move to take that fight. Say my name @TheNotoriousMMA
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) January 19, 2020
