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UFC gives fans one bang for their 50 bucks

You’ll be hearing a lot more of Conor McGregor.

The Irishman, who is riding a 15-fight winning streak, confirmed his place as the biggest star in mixed martial arts with a brutal, one-punch knockout of Jose Aldo in the main event of UFC 194.

The fight lasted just 13 seconds. They were unlucky for Aldo.

The Brazilian walked into a picture-perfect left hook while throwing a left of his own, and crumpled to the canvas.

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But the early night prompted outrage and derision on social media, with many bemoaning the $50 price tag (on pay-per-view) for a card where the main event was over in the blink of an eye.

Veteran boxing writer Dan Rafael said his sport would be forced to defend questions if a high-profile main event ended in such a way.

 

 

With women’s UFC superstar Ronda Rousey’s knockout loss to Holly Holm fresh in the mind, McGregor’s performance put an exclamation mark on his claims of being the most marketable star in MMA.

While Rousey’s hobnobbing with celebs may have drained her of focus prior to her fight with Holm, McGregor looks as though he trains in a sauna – his super lean 145lb frame drawing gasps at Friday’s weigh-in.

He conjures to mind images of Brad Pitt’s character in Snatch (so much so that UFC chief Dana White put him in the role in a promotional video last year) – all sinew and snarl, a man who was born for physical conflict.

And he’s got a bit of charisma too – his Dubliner’s wit never failing to give a chuckle at a press opportunity.

The former apprentice plumber is enjoying his new-found wealth.

McGregor has a glittering future ahead of him. Photo: Getty

McGregor has a glittering future ahead of him. Photo: Getty

“I didn’t have money before this,” he once said.

“I was collecting 188 Euro a week off the social welfare. And now here I am, with like 60 G’s bonus and then my own pay.

“I don’t know what the f***’s going on to be honest, right?”

McGregor also has a penchant for designer suits.

“These custom-made suits aren’t cheap. This solid gold pocket watch, three people died making this watch,” he said.

“I need to put people away. I need those big fights. I’m going to end up in debt pretty fast.”

His opponent, Aldo, was regarded as the best fighter in the featherweight division heading into the bout, with some going so high as to rank him as the best in the world, pound for pound.

On website mmafighting.com, a poll of a dozen professionals prior to the fight had all 12 picking Aldo to win.

But McGregor backed up his pre-fight talk with a sizzling punch – although questions need to be asked as to how a man regarded as the best in the world could leave himself so open, so early.

But that’s the conundrum and the excitement of UFC – inside the Octagon, you never really know how things are going to play out.

Auras of invincibility like those possessed by Aldo and Rousey can take only seconds to disintegrate.

Aldo hadn’t lost in 10 years, but like all gunslingers he finally ran into someone harder and faster.

And now Conor McGregor, whose record improves to 19-2, has the world at his feet.

He’d better call his tailor.

SEVEN ELEVEN STOCK

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