NEW undisputed UFC Featherweight champion Conor McGregor was ‘blown away’ by the volume of support he got from his homeland as around 10,000 Irish fight fans flooded Las Vegas to witness his record-breaking win at the weekend.
McGregor knocked out reigning champion Jose Aldo inside a remarkable 13 seconds to pinch a title the Brazilian had held for five years, while ending his unbeaten spell of 10 years in the process.
The sport of MMA has gripped the youth of Ireland over the past two years in particular, largely down to the success of Dubliner McGregor, who has become a global superstar in one of UFC’s elite divisions.
Irish fans of the sport flocked from all over the world to meet in Vegas, while countless more tuned in from around the globe in what turned out to be the highest-grossing fight in the UFC’s short history.
“I am forever blown away by the support of my country,” said McGregor. “We have changed the game forever.
“Thank you to all the fans who travelled and made this week what it was. The travelling Irish are untouchable when it comes to creating the atmosphere needed to make a week like this what it was.
“Respect to a great champion in Jose Aldo. The true greats will always overcome adversity. I wish him and his loyal team well on their journey back. Much respect.”
After months of tense build-up to the eagerly anticipated fight, McGregor brought the bout to an abrupt end by catching Aldo with a perfect counter left with the first meaningful attack.
He said: “To the naked eye it was 13 seconds, but to my team and my family it has been a lifetime of work to get to that 13 seconds.”
