Conor McGregor: UFC’s devourer of short-notice opponents

MANILA, Philippines – Conor McGregor rose to prominence due in large part to his brash persona and willingness to talk trash to every opponent he meets inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Octagon.

While he has had success creeping into the minds of his cage counterparts and obviously walked his talk, UFC’s featherweight kingpin was hoping to add another accolade into his résumé by becoming the first fighter in the promotion’s history to hold two world titles at the same time. 

He was slated to challenge Rafael dos Anjos for the lightweight championship in the main event of UFC 196, but the Brazilian pulled out of the much-awaited clash due to a foot injury.

Many fighters in the UFC roster offered themselves as replacement foes for the UFC featherweight titleholder, but Nate Diaz struck the jackpot in the McGregor sweepstakes.

He was given Dos Anjos’ spot to lock horns with the 27-year-old Irishman in a welterweight bout at UFC 196, which takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, March 6 (March 5 in the US).

McGregor finds himself in a familiar situation as he is no stranger to facing short-notice opponents in his 21-fight career. 

Since making his UFC debut in April 2013, 4 of his 8 original opponents were forced to withdraw because of physical ailments. 

After his statement-making victory over Marcus Brimage in his first UFC outing, McGregor was penciled to battle Andy Ogle, but the English featherweight begged off, giving Max Holloway an opening to step in. 

McGregor was able to pick up a one-sided decision triumph over Holloway in front of a hometown crowd in an August 2013 showdown, but he was sidelined for nearly a year after sustaining an ACL injury during the fight. 

The 5-foot-8 native of Dublin, Ireland made a successful return to action in July 2014 by scoring a first-round stoppage of Diego Brandao, who replaced Cole Miller due to a thumb injury. 

The most notable pullout on McGregor’s scroll of opponents was Jose Aldo, who backed out of his title defense in July 2015 after he injured his ribs in sparring.

As a result, McGregor squared off with Chad Mendes, whom he defeated via second-round technical knockout.

McGregor eventually got his hands on Aldo, knocking out his Brazilian rival with a counter left hook in just 13 seconds this past December.

Outside the confines of the UFC, McGregor also encountered great uncertainties as 3 of his matches under the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC) banner were cancelled. 

In September 2011, McGregor was supposed to take on Swedish combatant Niklas Backstrom, who was about to leave for the airport to fly to Jordan for his date with the Irish stalwart when he fell and broke his hand. 

With no other choice, McGregor accepted the offer to move up in weight to battle Norwegian lightweight Aron Jahnsen, whom he finished in the first round with his precision striking. 

McGregor enshrined himself as the CWFC featherweight champion in June 2012 by submitting England’s Dave Hill and was booked to defend his belt versus Jim Alers, but the match-up got scrapped twice in the same year. 

It turned out to be a blessing in disguise as McGregor closed out his 2012 calendar by capturing the CWFC lightweight strap as he thumped Ivan Buchinger by first-round knockout. 

History repeated itself for McGregor as he now crosses paths with Diaz, who took the fight on less than two weeks notice.

Diaz is entering the welterweight contest as a 3-to-1 underdog, but he presents a difficult task for McGregor, given his size advantage and submission expertise. (READ: Nate Diaz holds two advantages over Conor McGregor at UFC 196)

However, McGregor easily had his hand raised in pride against his last 5 short-notice opponents. 

Will the trend continue for McGregor or will there be no cause for celebration on Saint Patrick’s Day? – Rappler.com