Conor McGregor is one of the most notable names in UFC history, and arguably one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. That’s why it’s so exciting that, after a five-year hiatus, the Irishman known as The Notorious will be back in the Octagon® for UFC 329, streaming live Saturday, July 11, on Paramount+.
Heading into UFC 329, the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion boasts a professional MMA record of 22-6-0. Time and again, McGregor has proven his dominance with his gloved hands. He’s scored fully 19 of his career victories by knockout. Jose Aldo, Eddie Alvarez, and Dustin Poirier are among those felled by McGregor.
As McGregor prepares to face Max Holloway, and write the next chapter in his story, here’s a look back at six of McGregor’s best knockouts, as determined and compiled by UFC. The fights are listed in chronological order – and all of them can be streamed now on demand on Paramount+ with a subscription.
Key facts about Conor McGregor
- UFC debut: April 6, 2013
- Nickname: The Notorious
- First UFC champion to hold two belts simultaneously
- UFC wins by KO/TKO: 19
- Fastest title-fight finish: 13-second KO of Jose Aldo at UFC 194
- Signature weapons: Left hand, counter striking, precision timing
1. Marcus Brimage at UFC on Fuel TV 9
This was a first-round win by TKO for McGregor. The Notorious defeated Brimage with 1:07 left in Round 1 of his UFC debut, making two uppercuts with his right hand to knock Brimage to the ground.
WATCH NOW: McGregor vs. Brimage
2. Diego Brandao at UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao
McGregor just teed off on Brandao when he got him to the end of the cage. A left hook knocked Brandao down, then McGregor hit him with the left hand while Brandao fell. Five right hooks to the skull later, and the fight was over – a TKO in the first round.
WATCH NOW: UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao
3. Dustin Poirier at UFC 178
A hard left hurt Poirier in this main card bout from 2014. McGregor was already on the map, but his Round 1 TKO really got combat-sports fans talking. McGregor trash-talked Poirier before knocking him down with a left, and then swiping him four times after Poirier was downed.
WATCH NOW: UFC 178
4. Chad Mendes at UFC 189
A bloody match was ended by McGregor, who won the fight by TKO in the final seconds of Round 2 thanks to two back-to-back hits to Mendes to get him woozy. Two kicks, then a right and a powerful left, knocked Mendes down and the crowd roared. McGregor won the interim featherweight title with this TKO.
WATCH NOW: UFC 189
5. Jose Aldo at UFC 194
McGregor threw one punch – and down went Aldo. The 13-second, Round 1 knockout was the fastest in UFC history, and it was for the UFC Featherweight title. Aldo got a punch in, but he fell immediately after McGregor landed his.
WATCH NOW: UFC 194
6. Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205
McGregor knocked out Alvarez in the second round via TKO to win the UFC Lightweight Championship, while still holding the Featherweight title. McGregor countered with a left-right-left-right after Alvarez gave him a blow to the face. The final right knocked Alvarez down, and it was all McGregor.
WATCH NOW: UFC 205
Where does Conor McGregor rank among UFC’s greatest finishers?
Where McGregor stands amongst the greatest fighters in UFC history is subjective, but he’s certainly in the conversation for the best in the sport’s history.
In his prime, McGregor was nearly impossible to beat. He won 15 straight fights between 2011 and 2015.
Now looking for his first win in six years, McGregor returns to face Max Holloway in UFC 329. For McGregor and Holloway, the bout is a rematch 13 years in the making. The two first fought in 2013; McGregor won by unanimous decision.
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