UFC 194: Conor McGregor v Jose Aldo

CONOR McGregor ended one of the most anticipated fights in UFC history in a matter of seconds. All it took was one brutal punch.

Conor McGregor, Jose Aldo

THE UFC just keeps on producing unbelievable moments.

Conor McGregor produced an incredible one punch knockout 13 seconds into today’s world championship fight against Jose Aldo to claim the featherweight belt.

It was the fastest finish in UFC title history — bettering Ronda Rousey’s 14-second finish of Cat Zingano at UFC 184 in February — and the result will reverberate around the world in much the same way as Rousey’s defeat against Holly Holm last month.

What made this so remarkable was Aldo’s standing as the UFC’s number one rated pound for pound fighter. He had not been beaten in a decade.

But his championship reign came to a savage end as McGregor delivered a left hand right on the button.

“Again, nobody can take that left hand shot,” said McGregor, improving his record to 19-2.

“He’s powerful and he’s fast. But precision beats strength — and timing beats speed.”

Aldo (25-2) actually connected with a punch of his own as he fell to the canvas. But his lights were out. “He threw a cross on my chest which I wasn’t expecting and I threw a punch and he came back with another cross and that was that,” said Aldo, blood dripping from a cut on the bridge of his nose. “I think we need a rematch, it was really not a fight,”

The fight was one of the most highly anticipated bouts in UFC history because of Aldo’s long reign as champion and McGregor’s status as the sport’s biggest male star.

The pair were scheduled to do battle at UFC 189 in July this year, however Aldo withdrew from the card with an injured rib. McGregor was then forced to face Chad Mendes for the interim featherweight title.

Throughout the extended build-up, the pair exchanged numerous sledges, which came to a head during yesterday’s weigh-in when they had to be separated by UFC president Dana White.

McGregor had predicted that Aldo wouldn’t make it past the first round. He delivered on that prediction. “I feel for Jose, he was a phenomenal champion,” McGregor said. “We deserved to go a lot longer”

Continue reading for all the highlights and results from the rest of the crowd, including Luke Rockhold’s stunning performance against Chris Weidman.

McGregor stands over his fallen victim.

Middleweight

Chris Weidman (USA, 13-1, Champion) v Luke Rockhold (USA, 15-2)

The UFC has a new middleweight champion after Luke Rockhold destroyed champion Chris Weidman with vicious ground and pound.

Both fighters showed their pedigree in a technical first round. Rockhold probably edged the second round after landing repeated kicks to the body of Weidman before punishing the champion in the third.

The key moment was a takedown with about two minutes left in the third. Weidman made an ill-advised attempt at a wheel kick and Rockhold took advantage, pinning his opponent to the mat and unloading a series of vicious punches.

It was the first time Weidman had ever been taken down in the UFC.

Referee Herb Dean was close to calling an end to the fight as Rockhold opened up cuts on Weidman’s face. He allowed him to continue before stepping in midway through the fourth to end the punishment.

“I can’t even believe this is real right now,” Rockhold said.

Rockhold revealed he had suffered from an infection in the lead-up to the fight and had been on antibiotics for the past fortnight. But that didn’t stop him handing Weidman his first defeat and ending the second longest active winning streak in the UFC.

“It’s Luke’s night,” Weidman said. “I’ll be back.”

Luke Rockhold TKO

Luke Rockhold and Chris Weidman grapple.

Middleweight

Ronaldo Souza (Brazil, 22-4) v Yoel Romero (Cuba, 11-1)

Yoel Romero likely earnt himself a shot at Luke Rockhold by edging Ronald Souza via split decision.

Romero will likely be handed the first opportunity to take the new UFC champion’s title after a close fight with Souza.

After a tentative opening Romero seized control of the first round by flooring Souza with a spinning back fist and smashing him with punches and elbows on the ground.

Souza attempted a couple of armbars without success while continuing to take punishment which left him wobbling on his feet after the bell.

Romero was so impressive commentator Joe Rogan described him as the greatest athlete in the UFC. “That’s the biggest freak, right there. He’s the outlier of all outliers when it comes to athleticism,” Rogan said.

The second round could have gone either way but Souza enjoyed the better of the third after securing a takedown and gaining control on the ground.

One judge thought he’d done enough to take the fight but Romero got the nod on the other two scorecards.

Yoel Romero split decision (29-27, 29-28, 28-29)

Yoel Romero punches Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza.

Welterweight

Demian Maia (Brazil, 22-6) v Gunnar Nelson (Iceland, 14-2-1)

Demian Maia scored his own victory for Brazil against the McGregor camp by dominating Nelson — who hails from Iceland but trains with McGregor in Ireland.

Maia gave a masterclass in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to put himself in contention for a title shot against the winner of January’s bout between Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit.

Nelson showed his talent on the ground by avoiding a submission, but he spent all three rounds playing defence.

“This is the difference between a high level black belt, and one of the best of all-time,” commentator Joe Rogan said.

Maia left Nelson bloodied and bruised by punishing him with ground and pound, landing 114 strikes to the head in the first two rounds.

Demian Maia unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)

Featherweight

Max Holloway (USA, 15-3) v Jeremy Stephens (USA, 24-12)

Max Holloway recorded his eighth consecutive win since losing to Conor McGregor as he looks to beat a path back to the Irishman’s door.

After an even first round, Holloway took control of the fight in the second, landing several right hands to the head of Stephens.

The fifth-ranked featherweight in the world completed a takedown early in the third, assumed back control and did enough damage to take the round — and the fight.

Stephens showed heart by swinging wildly at the finish but was outclassed.

Holloway called out both McGregor and Jose Aldo after the fight, saying he’d fight McGregor in Ireland or Aldo in Hawaii.

Max Holloway unanimous decision (30-27, 20-27, 29-28)

Prelims

Bantamweight

Urijah Faber (USA, 33-8) v Frankie Saenz (USA 11-3)

In a close three-round bout, Urijah Faber came out on top against Frankie Saenz. The “California Kid” landed 58 per cent of his strikes, compared to just 38 per cent from Saenz, while also managing the only takedown of the fight.

Urijah Faber unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Women’s Strawweight

Tecia Torres (USA, 7-0) v Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger (USA 6-2)

Tecia “The Tiny Tornado” Torres continued her undefeated streak against UFC newcomer Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger. Landing a number of quick punches right up until the final bell, Torres took the bout via unanimous decision 30-27. The 26-year-old in now holds a record of 7-0.

Tecia Torres unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Tecia Torres extended her undefeated record.

Welterweight

Warlley Alves (Brazil, 11-0) v Colby Covington (USA, 8-1)

It took less than two minutes for Warlley Alves to force Colby Covington into submission with his signature guillotine choke. The victory marks the Brazilian’s fourth using the same submission in his 11-fight professional career.

Warlley Alves submission

Lightweight

Leonardo Santos (Brazil, 15-4-1) v Kevin Lee (USA, 11-2)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Leonardo Santos secured his 15th professional victory at the 1:34 mark in the first round. Santos beat the American’s defence and got him to ground, before mounting Lee and inflicting a barrage of unanswered punches to get the TKO win.

Leonardo Santos TKO