UFC 246: Conor McGregor defeats Donald Cerrone in Las Vegas

Conor McGregor became the first UFC fighter with KO wins at featherweight, lightweight and welterweight with a savage annihilation of Donald Cerrone.

The Mac is back. 

Conor McGregor promised to do something spectacular. His coach said he’d be better than ever. His training partner said he actually feared for Donald Cerrone.

They were all right.

McGregor made the perfect return from a 15-month absence from the UFC plagued by legal issues by finishing Cerrone via technical knockout in 40 seconds.

The action was spectacular. McGregor ducked Cerrone’s opening shot before clinching and smashing his shoulder into his opponent’s face to blacken his eye and bust his nose.

Cerrone broke free and attempted a head kick which McGregor comfortably blocked.

He then returned the favor and nearly took Cerrone’s head off with a perfectly aimed left boot to the jaw.

A follow-up flying knee put the American down and after a few more punches it was over. 

"I'M BACK BABY," McGregor proclaimed after the fight.

"I'm very proud of tonight. My team has been phenomenal, the fans have been phenomenal. Thank you all for the support."

Attention quickly turned to who the man will now touch gloves with next and he didn't hold back by reeling off several challengers.

"I've still got work to do to get back to where I was, so I'm going to celebrate tonight and then get back in the gym and train.

"And anyone of these little mouthy fools can get it, even that little fool at the desk (staring at Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman)."

McGregor becomes the first UFC fighter with knockout wins at featherweight, lightweight and welterweight and the fight world is now his to reign over again.

Cerrone has now lost three straight and wasn’t an elite level opponent but the manner of victory will leave fans fighting for a seat in the McGregor bandwagon again.

"He got me with and I was like ‘oh man, he got me this fast, I got my a** whipped early’. But hey man, I love this sport, I’m going to keep fighting. I don’t care, I’ve got my family here, I’m okay,” Cerrone said after the fight.

“Best version ever,” McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh said as he passed press row. 

Best version. So far.

— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) January 19, 2020

See how the entire UFC 246 event played out with our updates from throughout the day below: