UFC 189 results: Conor McGregor knocks out Chad Mendes to win featherweight title
It was an interesting journey to the main event for the featherweight belt at UFC 189. First, contender Conor McGregor was scheduled to fight champion and nemesis Jose Aldo. A rib injury forced Aldo to pull out a couple of weeks ahead of the fight and top contender Chad Mendes stepped in.
Mendes, like Conor McGregor, boasts a record of 17-2 with both losses coming in championship bouts against Aldo. McGregor was suddenly presented a different challenge in Mendes, a strong wrestler as opposed to Aldo's striking and stand up game.
Here is a break down of how it went.
ROUND 1: McGregor came out with a spinning heel kick. Mendes got him to the ground but McGregor was able to get up. McGregor seemed to find his groove with the fight on their feet. Mendes seemed to be standing in front of McGregor allowing him to pick his shots and McGregor went to work. The exchanges were entertaining with both fighters doing a little selling, more so from McGregor, who put his hands down frequently to taunt Mendes. Mendes took advantage and got McGregor to the mat and on his back. McGregor had full guard and worked his way to his feet. Mendes landed a shot as he got up and cut McGregor. Mendes got another take down and got into side control quickly. Mendes was in McGregor's half guard and began to rain down elbows before going to the guillotine. Mendes got a warning for putting his fingers in McGregor's eyes. FanSided Score: Mendes 10-9
ROUND 2: McGregor kept the showmanship up with a come at me gesture before the round started. McGregor started with kicks again and Mendes went for a shoot but McGregor defended it. Mendes got McGregor down again on his back, but was in full guard. Mendes waited for his moments to throw big elbows as McGregor tried to fight him off. McGregor began to throw elbows from his back and fight back. Mendes went for a submission but McGregor broke free and got to his feet. McGregor went to work and knocked out Mendes.
Mendes was clearly gassed and McGregor went to work with strikes and kicks and was able to take advantage.
OFFICIAL SCORE: Conor McGregor def. Chad Mendes at TKO (strikes) at 4:57 of R2
Watch the highlights from Conor McGregor's win over Chad Mendes
After all the bad blood between the two, Mendes came over to a kneeled over McGregor drapped with the Irish flag over his shoulders to congratulate him. The two men hugged afterwards and McGregor raised Mendes' hand as a show of respect.
For the rest of the results from UFC 189 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, go here.
More from FanSided:
UFC 189, Lawler vs. MacDonald: Full Video Highlights
UFC 189, Mendes vs. McGregor: Full video highlights
UFC 189: Matches to make for Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor: Jose Aldo's day will come
UFC 189, Chad Mendes vs. Conor McGregor full results
