Conor McGregor is the next big thing in the UFC, make no mistake about it.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan aptly puts it as Conor McGregor's aura. "An aura so absorbing that the self-assured SBG [Straight Blast Gym - Ireland] fighter has a way of convincing fans' of his mettle".
The Irishman deserved every inch of the hype around him after he decimated Chad Mendes in the main event of UFC 189 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday.
McGregor became the UFC interim Flyweight Champion of the World after a solid left cross took out Mendes, and referee Herb Dean had no option but to stop the incessant punches that rained on the American. McGregor was declared the winner by TKO (Technical Knock out) in the second round of the fight, at the 4 minute, 57 second mark.
McGregor's flair and mettle at the Octagon has been lapped up by the UFC and the Irishman has been made the coach for the next season of 'The Ultimate Fighter.'
'The Notorious' McGregor will now coach opposite Team Alpha Male's Urijah Faber for the 22nd edition of the UFC's storied reality television series.
'The Ultimate Fighter' Team McGregor vs Team Faber will feature 16 competitors in the lightweight division and. Apart from a UFC contract, national pride will be on the line as McGregor leads eight European hopefuls against the Faber-led American squad.
UFC 189 broke the promotion's previous US box office record, drawing a $7.2 million gate, and the weigh-ins were easily the most attended the UFC has ever staged.
And this is only the beginning, considering McGregor's mega-fight against Jose Aldo is now primed to be one of the biggest matches in the sport's history, if not the single biggest.
Former UFC Featherweight Champion Aldo was stipulated to face the No. 1 contender McGregor at UFC 189, but the main event was scrapped as Aldo suffered a rib injury.
Therefore, Mendes - ranked No. 1 UFC Featherweight fighter in the world - got the shot for the interim title in the main event of the pay-per-view.
Following the bloodied fight that gave the Irishman a massive gash above his right eyebrow, McGregor fell to his knees, hugged the Irish flag and allowed the tears to flow.
At the end of the day it's all #RESPECT! Got to love this sport!
#UFC189 http://t.co/Rac7Ad3rSx
— #TUFFinale (@ufc) July 12, 2015"Right now I am running the game," McGregor told MMAFighting.com.
"I have every record in the book. The gate, the pay-per-view, all the viewing figures on FOX, UFC Fight Pass, highest attended weigh-ins. I have every record right now, and at the end of the day I'm still only 26 years of age. I am still very, very young in this game."
He even went on to praise current UFC women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey who is undoubtedly the most decorated women's mixed martial arts fighter in the world today, and said that Ronda and he are ruling the Octagon right now.
"Myself and Ronda (Rousey) -- Ronda is an absolute machine. She's an animal, and I relate to Ronda a lot, because I know the work she puts in media-wise and training-wise. I look at her and I take a great inspiration from Ronda. Her work ethic. I feel it's me and Ronda at the top of the game, and I'm honored."
McGregor takes his UFC record to 18-2-0 following the win, and his fans all over the world will now wait with bated breath for the sixth season premiere of 'The Ultimate Fighter' Team McGregor vs. Team Faber.
Where to Watch The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber
The TV series will air on FOX Sports 1 on Wednesday, 9 September with a two-hour season premiere airing at 10 pm. ET. The season will continue with 11 one-hour shows Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.
