UFC 189 - Chad Mendes vs Conor McGregor

Waiting for the walkouts here. All the descriptors of what gives McGregor the "it" factor are now on display. His toughest test to date is about to happen. The stakes couldn't be bigger. Should he win, a potential mega-fight with Aldo at Croke Park in Ireland, an event that could threaten PPV records. Should he lose, the mystique takes a hit.

Now Sinead O'Connor is rising up through a green-lit fog singing in Ireland's greatest fighting icon. The crowd is rapt. What a moment. O'Connor looks very much the same. And the screen flashes to McGregor making his way down the tunnel. He has the wild eyes. He has the flag draped on him. He is shadow-boxing his way towards the opening in the arena. McGregor comes through, and the crowd is alive! He is at a trot to the cage. McGregor now hugging his coaches and trainers as a chant of "Ole" breaks out. McGregor lifts his arms up and acknowledges his reception as he enters the cage and does a lap.

Now Mendes making his way out with Aaron Lewis performing on an acoustic. Irish fans chanting through it. Mendes draped in American flag and scowling. Pretty intense moment here. Two live performances to bring in the fighters. All has such a big feel to it. Mendes enters the cage. McGregor stalks through the cage as he does. McGregor is jawing at him.

Round 1: McGregor stands in the center of the Octagon on his introduction, holding his arms up in glory. Mendes shook his head and paced for his intro. Herb Dean is the referee. They get their instructions. McGregor continued to talk throughout. Here we go. Mendes smiled as they came out. McGregor runs out with a spinning back kick, and immediately Mendes takes him down. Can't keep him there, and they are up. A slip from McGregor, as Mendes headhunts. McGregor coming right up on him, using his kicks. Nice left hand from McGregor and that landed flush! Another good combo, and Mendes eats. Spinning kick, and Mendes takes that too.

Head kick from Mendes, and then a big one-two from Mendes. McGregor got hit on thos. Spinning kick from McGregor. He's taunting Mendes. And Mendes accommodates him with a couple of big shots, before scooping him up and dumping him down hard! As McGregor stands, Mendes slams him with two big punches, and those hurt. McGregor bleeding over right eye. Superman punch from McGregor. He's keeping his hands low. Body shot to Mendes.

Big right hand stunned Mendes momentarily, but he then lunges forward and hits McGregor. Another big takedown for Mendes, who then advances to side control. Now half guard. McGregor boxing his ears from his back. Here's McGregor on his back. Mendes with crown of his head pressing into McGregor's chin. Looking for a guillotine. Mendes gets warned about his fingers. The round ends with Mendes on top of McGregor. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Mendes, 10-9.

Round 2: Spinning kick from McGregor, and now a beautiful kick to the body. Mendes shoots, and McGregor sprawls. McGregor comes in and now he's flinging punches, Mendes avoids the brunt of them. Big takedown from Mendes, and McGregor from the bottom huffing air. Big elbows from Mendes, as McGregor fends him off. Mendes trying to cut off McGregor's air supply with his hand over McGregor's nose. He's in McGregor's guard. Big elbows from McGregor from the bottom, and they are tagging Mendes.

Mendes complains to the ref that they were to the back of the head. McCarthy says fight on. McGregor squirming, but can't get up. Mendes is doing what he does, which is turn himself into a heavy pestle. He is landing elbows. Another big elbow, as blood streams down McGregor's face. Now Mendes steps over and tries fro a choke, and slips off! They are back up. McGregor comes up swinging! Mendes tries to take him down again, but he's thwarted. Now McGregor lands a big right and then a left and down goes Mendes! He is getting tagged, and McCarthy steps in to stop the fight!

What a fight!