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Conor McGregor is back on BT Sport
Conor McGregor is back on BT Sport
As “The Notorious” returns to fight Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, we chart the Irishman’s career in six defining fights
By Virgin TV Edit
In the world of sport, there are comebacks and then there are Conor McGregor comebacks. The Irishman is ready to return to the Octagon for the first time in over a year when he faces off against American Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, live on BT Sport and the Virgin TV Go app.
McGregor has promised fans a “masterpiece” of a fight against an opponent he took out inside the first round when they previously squared off in 2014. But that was then.
With his explosive fighting style, “The Diamond” has won ten of his 13 bouts since falling to McGregor, leading UFC boss Dana White to predict a “war” when the two Lightweight fighters square off at UFC’s Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
Featuring an epic headline fight and an undercard that packs more than a punch, UFC 257 is looking like an unmissable night of action. Before the drama gets underway live on BT Sport and the Virgin TV Go app, we’ve taken a closer look at the incredible career of Conor McGregor by picking out six fights that have taken him to the pinaccle of MMA…
The pro debut (2008)
After impressing at amateur level, McGregor’s professional MMA debut in 2008 was an economical affair, as he took care of fellow debutant Gary Morris in just two rounds at the Cage Of Truth 2 event in Dublin. Footage from the night shows McGregor as a scrawny brawler lacking the sharp punching technique he would go on to hone expertly – but the trademark ferocity is definitely there.
The UFC debut (2013)
Stepping up to the big leagues in 2013, McGregor once again didn’t want to keep spectators for too long when he made his UFC debut against Marcus Brimage in Stockholm. Cooly disposing of the American in little over a minute, McGregor’s droll post-fight interview (he claimed to have no gameplan) suggested this guy was cut from a different cloth.
The major breakthrough (2015)
Where better for McGregor to put his name on the MMA map than Las Vegas? His bout with José Aldo for the undisputed World Featherweight Championship was the hottest ticket town in December 2015 – and it lasted 13 seconds. McGregor’s stunning knockout victory over the Brazilian sparked wild scenes, with the Irishman memorably straddling the top of the Octagon to show the world he was now the top dog.
The history-making fight (2016)
The first fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously? It could only be that man McGregor. Under the famous lights of New York’s Madison Square Garden, his two-round triumph over Eddie Alvarez at 2016’s much-hyped UFC 205 saw him add the Lightweight Championship to his Featherweight crown. With his trademark humility, McGregor said after the bout: “I’d like to take this opportunity to apologise to absolutely nobody!”
The first comeback (2018)
After a two-year absence from the Octagon (in which time he became a dad, lost to Floyd Mayweather in a blockbuster boxing match, released a documentary about his life, was stripped of the two belts, and pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after damaging a bus) McGregor’s long-awaited return in 2018 was not lacking in controversy. His fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov lasted four rounds, before the formidable Russian got his opponent to tap out. Then things really kicked off, as Khabib made a beeline for McGregor’s camp and all types of heck broke loose.
The second comeback (2020)
Following 15 months away from MMA, McGregor made his grand re-entrance to the sport in January 2020 with a Welterwight clash against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in Las Vegas. McGregor was the quicker off the draw in their headline bout, landing a TKO victory over “The Cowboy” after a mere 40 seconds. Considering his claim before the fight that he would look to “acquire rounds” against the American, McGregor must have looked at his tactical approach and thought it was a load of nonsense. This was wham-bam action that proved once again that he is pure box office.
See how the fighters line up
When is UFC 257 on TV?
Headlined by Conor McGregor’s fight with Dustin Poirier, coverage of UFC 257 starts from 3am on Sunday 24 January on BT Sport 1 HD (CH 527).
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