UFC 246: McGregor finishes Cowboy in 40 seconds

In the main event of UFC 246, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor TKO’s Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in the first forty seconds of round one.

The fight began with McGregor sprinting at Cowboy and throwing a powerful left hand, which caused Cerrone to duck under and then clinch up with the Irishman.

Clinched in the middle of the octagon, McGregor swivelled and smashed his left shoulder into the face of Cowboy four times-Cerrone was dazed after the first and appeared to have broken his nose as well.

Cowboy pushes away and backs up, but McGregor keeps the pace up and throws a left uppercut, shortly followed by a left high kick to the jaw of his opponent, resulting in Cerrone covering up with his back against the cage.

An onslaught of punches came Cowboy’s way, who curled up on the floor of the octagon and Herb Dean had to stop the fight.

Following his victory, McGregor went to Cowboy and showed his respect for the 36-year-old American.

It had been four hundred and sixty days since McGregor was last in the octagon, but ‘The Notorious’ made sure his first fight of the new decade was a memorable one.

Speaking to UFC commentator Joe Rogan, revealed the shoulder strikes were no fluke: “Yeah I changed levels with it and it was a good shot.

“I knew he wasn’t expecting it.”

McGregor also made everyone aware of his record-breaking achievement within the UFC.

“I made history here tonight, I’m the first fighter in UFC history to secure knockout victories at featherweight, lightweight and welterweight. “

I like this weight division I feel really good, I’m in shape but I’ve still got work today…and anyone of these little melty fools can get it, even that little fool at the desk (Paul Felder),” exclaimed McGregor who’s fight brought the attendance of many possible future opponents such as BMF title holder Jorge Masvidal and Welterweight champion Kamara Usman.

“He got me with his elbows straight away, hit me and then head kicked me,” said a disappointed Cerrone.

On the shoulder strikes of McGregor, Cerrone admitted he didn’t see them coming.

“I’ve never seen anything like it, they threw me way off guard-they busted my nose, it started bleeding and then he had kicked me, and I was like oh man this happened so fast.

“I love this sport I’ll keep fighting I don’t care this is what I love man…thank you to everyone who supported over the years!”

In the post event press conference, UFC president Dana White said he won’t question McGregor at 170 lbs ever again.

“I was blown away. He won’t hear another peep out of me fighting at 170.”

What’s next for McGregor?

After his phenomenal return to MMA, Conor McGregor has plenty of options for the future.

In the welterweight division he could challenge Jorge Masvidal for the BMF title or go for the champion of the division Kamara Usman, but he has prospects in the lightweight division as well.

The winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson will be of huge interest to McGregor, especially if he gets to tango with Russian fighter Khabib for a second time, although while that fight materialises he could challenge the likes of Justin Gaethje, who KO’d Cerrone in September last year, or even Paul Felder.

As good as the possibility of McGregor fighting the likes of Felder and Gaethje, I doubt the UFC would make either fight and risk their poster boy of not having the chance to fight for some silverware in 2020.

The only thing we definitely know for certain is this… the king is back!