It doesn’t matter that his belt is designated “interim,” or that he’s beaten just one opponent rated in the top 10, or that he’s not American.
Ireland’s Conor McGregor officially elevated himself to the top floor of the Ultimate Fighting Championship stratosphere Saturday night in his second-round technical knockout victory of Chad Mendes at MGM Grand.
By generating an organization-record $7.2 million live gate, with UFC President Dana White projecting record pay-per-view sales, the confident, expressive McGregor, 26, expanded his reputation in a showing that tested his resolve.