Conor McGregor entered Saturday night’s UFC 246 main event not having won a fight inside the octagon since 2016, but he only needed 40 seconds to take out Cowboy Cerrone in a spectacular performance that could set up a title shot.
McGregor pressured Cerrone immediately, and damaged Cerrone’s nose with a vicious series of shoulder barges to Cerrone’s face. McGregor then landed a head kick that staggered Cerrone, and followed up with a flurry of strikes that eventually forced referee Herb Dean to stop the bout. McGregor scored a TKO victory in 40 seconds, his first first-round finish since his legendary 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo in 2015.
HE. IS. BACK.
🇮🇪 @TheNotoriousMMA CLOSES THE SHOW EARLY! WOW! #UFC246 pic.twitter.com/0B0NXbi6pY
— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2020
UFC fighters were stunned.
I haven't been amazed in a Long time and Connor just made me say wow AGAIN
— Rumble Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) January 19, 2020
This shits alll fake
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) January 19, 2020
One thing for sure , Conor comes out ready to put people away! Supreme killer instinct #UFC246
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) January 19, 2020
Ok ok you talked me into it…I’ll accept your challenge you nice respectful guy you! @TheNotoriousMMA #UFC246
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) January 19, 2020
Wish we got to see more of this fight but wow! Beautiful!
— Randa Markos (@randamma) January 19, 2020
Wow @ufc pic.twitter.com/6qJDR09ATu
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) January 19, 2020
I feel like that was some boxing bullshit set up to lose –#ufc246 don’t believe it!!
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) January 19, 2020
You think McGregors shoulder strikes would be more or less devastating at 145? 🤔🤔🤔 Seriosuly tho I’m in awe, has anyone done that before in MMA? #UFC246
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) January 19, 2020
Come try and get that make believe belt! Joe just let Conor deflect from the Masvidal fight. #UFC246
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) January 19, 2020
That’s a joke to get borderline tko from shoulder strikes
— Chris Wade (@CWadeMMA) January 19, 2020
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