Conor McGregor wins ‘Fighter of the Year’ award at ESPYs

MANILA, Philippines – UFC featherweight titleholder Conor McGregor added another accolade to his résumé as he received “Fighter of the Year” trophy at the 2016 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) Awards. 

McGregor (19-3), who was up against the likes of fellow UFC competitor Robbie Lawler and world-class boxers Roman Gonzalez, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin in the “Fighter of the Year” category, became the second mixed martial arts fighter to win the aforementioned ESPY citation that was bestowed upon him during the annual awarding ceremony at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday, July 13 (Thursday Manila time).

Congrats @TheNotoriousMMA on your #BestFighter @ESPYS! See you at #UFC202 in Las Vegas! #ESPYS pic.twitter.com/c5uMfSHabq

— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2016

The 28-year-old Irishman had a remarkable run in 2015, winning 3 bouts. 

McGregor started his 2015 with a second-round stoppage victory over Dennis Siver in January before he claimed the interim UFC featherweight belt by defeating Chad Mendes 6 months later.

Capping off his 2015 calendar, McGregor became the official featherweight kingpin by knocking out Jose Aldo with a counter left hook in just 13 seconds last December.

McGregor and Aldo are expected to cross paths again later this year after the latter captured the interim featherweight title at the expense of perennial contender Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 over the weekend.

Before having his rematch with Aldo, McGregor has to deal with Nate Diaz, whom he will face in a second welterweight encounter at UFC 202 on August 20.

Diaz, who stepped in as a replacement for the injured Rafael dos Anjos on 11 days’ notice, shocked the world by submitting McGregor with a second-round rear-naked choke at UFC 196 this past March.

UFC president Dana White said that McGregor will have to return to the featherweight division to defend his gold-plated strap against Aldo after his much-awaited rematch versus Diaz. – Rappler.com