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Conor McGregor made a sensational return to the UFC when he demolished Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Irishman had been out of action for 15 months but exploded into life from the first bell of the welterweight bout at UFC 246, charging at his opponent before bloodying his nose with several unorthodox shoulder strikes in the clinch.
McGregor then stepped back and a precision head kick high over the guard landed square on the jaw of Cerrone, who was also caught by a flying knee and crumpled to the mat as the Dubliner went for an early finish.
Cerrone was covered up as the rights and lefts rained down on him, prompting referee Herb Dean to call a halt to a brief one-sided contest within the first minute of the opening round.
"I made history here, I set another record: I'm the first fighter in UFC history to secure knockout victories at featherweight, at lightweight and now at welterweight, so I'm very, very proud of that," McGregor said in the octagon.
Created with Sketch.
Created with Sketch.
1/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Conor McGregor made an emphatic statement on his UFC return as he needed just 40 seconds to overpower veteran American Donald Cerrone at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Here, we look back at his incredible performance in pictures.
Getty
2/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Both men took part in an unusually restrained and respectful pre-fight press conference prior to the bout.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
3/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman is known for his combustible and controversial press conference appearances, but the 31-year-old was on his best behaviour ahead of his return to the UFC.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
4/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor, a former two-weight world champion, warmly shook hands with Cerrone upon being introduced to the stage by UFC president Dana White.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
5/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
But the evident respect between the two men did not stop McGregor from predicting that the fight would end via knockout.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
6/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone, a 36-13 veteran who has lost his last two fights, meanwhile admitted this was the toughest test of his career.
AP
7/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“He’s a two time champ, it’s the toughest battle to date. This is the biggest one so let’s see what happens.”
AP
8/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The pair shook hands before posing for photographs.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
9/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
But the pair appeared on good terms.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
10/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Tensions did not rise during the face-off.
AP
11/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
And the two men embraced before departing.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
12/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone faces the media ahead of the weigh-in on Friday.
AP
13/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The 36-year-old entered the fight with a 36-13-1 record.
AP
14/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
He was placed #5 in the UFC lightweight rankings.
AP
15/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
But is a regular campaigner at welterweight.
Getty Images
16/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Conor McGregor meanwhile revealed the series of events in the lead up to his defeat against Khabib Nurmagomedov that saw the Irishman drinking all week, competing in unprotected sparring and partying for days on end in celebration of knocking opponents out.
AP
17/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“I was drinking all bleeding fight week,” McGregor told Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show. “I had venom in me or something.
AP
18/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“I had people holed up in a hotel and I would ring and arrange a fight, they would come to the gym and have a full-blown fight with no headguards.
AP
19/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“I'd have a war, win and knock the guy out and go off and celebrate and come back in three days.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
20/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“I wasn't doing what I should have been doing; I've made mistakes and I've been man enough to admit them.”
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
21/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“If I'm in the wrong, I'm in the wrong,” he continued. “I let people down and that's it. I'm in a position where I must take control of things and not shy away.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
22/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“I've never done that in my career and I never will; the people who believe in me and support me deserve better."
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
23/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone arrives for the weigh-in.
Getty Images
24/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone was the first to make weight at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas on Friday morning.
AP
25/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor arrived 40 minutes into the two-hour weigh-in window.
Getty Images
26/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
He weighed-in at an identical weight: 170lbs.
Getty Images
27/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman prepares to take to the stage.
USA TODAY Sports
28/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor made a typically dramatic entrance.
AP
29/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
And gamely snarled for the cameras.
AP
30/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman kept things respectful for the fight, but ratcheted up the drama at the weigh-in.
REUTERS
31/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman's loyal fans watch on.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
32/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor is interviewed by Joe Rogan.
Getty Images
33/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The pair pose...
Getty Images
34/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
... and face-off for more photographs.
REUTERS
35/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone boats a notable height advantage.
AP
36/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The pair shake hands.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
37/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The first photograph from Saturday evening. Cowboy is the first to arrive at the T-Mobile Arena.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
38/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The American has his hands taped.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
39/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone quickly switches his smart black suit for a more casual outfit.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
40/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The 36-year-out cuts a calm and composed figure.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
41/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor is the last to arrive at the T-Mobile.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
42/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Sporting a burgundy suit, he arrives at the T-Mobile with his partner, Dee Devlin.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
43/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
He walks quickly to his dressing room...
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
44/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
... and, of course, sports his obligatory pre-fight sunglasses.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
45/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor is escorted to his dressing room.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
46/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Like Cerrone, he seems in an incredibly calm mood.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
47/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman even has time to enjoy a laugh and a joke with a member of his backroom team.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
48/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor poses with his fight kit.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
49/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman wore green shorts for his comeback bout.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
50/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The fight attracted plenty of famous fans...
REUTERS
51/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Lineal heavyweight champion of the world Tyson Fury enjoys himself behind Dee Devlin, McGregor's partner.
REUTERS
52/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor has his hands taped.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
53/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor also received a massage as his hands were taped.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
54/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman's team get to work.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
55/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor's dressing room was noticeably calmer than for previous fights.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
56/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor's team watch on as their man prepares for his comeback bout.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
57/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Octagon in the moments ahead of McGregor vs Cerrone.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
58/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone prepares to walk to the Octagon.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
59/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
He makes his ring walk.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
60/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The American was first to enter the Octagon.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
61/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cowboy waits for his opponent to arrive.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
62/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor begins his ring walk.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
63/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman laps up the applause.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
64/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
He cut a much more restrained figure entering the Octagon.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
65/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
And - unusually - decided against entering the Octagon with a Billion Dollar Strut.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
66/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor prepares for battle.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
67/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The T-Mobile Arena holds its breath...
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
68/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The two square-up.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
69/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The fight begins at a tremendous pace with Cowboy clinching. But McGregor hits the American with four unorthodox shoulder strikes.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
70/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The pair separate and Cowboy throws a defensive kick..
REUTERS
71/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
... but McGregor throws a kick of his own which lands on Cowboy's chin.
AP
72/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The kick lands flush.
Getty Images
73/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cowboy staggers backwards.
AP
74/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
And McGregor attacks with a flying knee.
Getty Images
75/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The blow lands.
REUTERS
76/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
And McGregor goes in for the kill.
REUTERS
77/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor's ground and pound is initially wild.
AP
78/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
But, after a few seconds and upon instruction by his coach, McGregor calms himself down.
Getty Images
79/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor begins picking his shots...
AP
80/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
... and the fight is finished.
Getty Images
81/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The walk away.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
82/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor is the victor.
AP
83/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Herb Dean called a halt to a brief one-sided contest within the first minute of the opening round.
AP
84/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
"I made history here, I set another record: I'm the first fighter in UFC history to secure knockout victories at featherweight, at lightweight and now at welterweight, so I'm very, very proud of that," McGregor said in the octagon.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
85/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
"Donald holds the record for most head-kick knockouts, I'm so happy to get him down with a head kick myself. I'm very, very happy, very proud.
Getty Images
86/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
"Who's going up and down divisions and stopping people like that?
USA TODAY Sports
87/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
"The UFC can strip fighters and gift other fighters make-believe belts in order to replicate my champ-champ status, but they can't give knockout victories across multiple weight divisions. Etch my name in history one more time."
REUTERS
88/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The former two-weight UFC champion had been out of action since losing to bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov at the same venue in October 2018, while this was his first win inside the octagon in more than three years.
USA TODAY Sports
89/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
On that occasion, he stopped Eddie Alvarez to add the lightweight title to his featherweight crown, becoming the first fighter in the company to hold two belts simultaneously.
REUTERS
90/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
He went on to fame and fortune with a crossover boxing bout against American superstar Floyd Mayweather, but a couple of legal issues after his defeat to Nurmagomedov placed a doubt on whether he would return to the octagon.
REUTERS
91/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor, though, remains mixed martial arts' biggest draw, saying earlier this week he expects to pocket around 80million US dollars from his bout against Cerrone.
Getty Images
92/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
As for what is next, McGregor, who has been linked with showdowns against welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and 'BMF' titlist Jorge Masvidal, added: "Any one of these little mouthy fools can get it.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
93/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
"It does not matter. I'm back and I'm ready. I like this weight division, I feel really good, it's good going up and down. God willing I came out of here unscathed."
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
94/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor embraces his girlfriend.
USA TODAY Sports
95/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The pair celebrate McGregor's victory.
REUTERS
96/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor also embraced Cowboy's grandmother.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
97/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The two share a hug.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
98/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor and Cowboy shake hands.
Getty Images
99/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor and Cowboy shake hands.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
100/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Shortly after the fight, Cowboy was transported to hospital.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
101/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cowboy leaves the Octagon with his young son.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
102/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor exits the Octagon and is given an escort back to the dressing room.
AP
103/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor now boasts a 22-4 professional record and has a pick of potential opponents.
REUTERS
104/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor and his family pose for a celebratory photograph.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
1/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Conor McGregor made an emphatic statement on his UFC return as he needed just 40 seconds to overpower veteran American Donald Cerrone at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Here, we look back at his incredible performance in pictures.
Getty
2/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Both men took part in an unusually restrained and respectful pre-fight press conference prior to the bout.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
3/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman is known for his combustible and controversial press conference appearances, but the 31-year-old was on his best behaviour ahead of his return to the UFC.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
4/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor, a former two-weight world champion, warmly shook hands with Cerrone upon being introduced to the stage by UFC president Dana White.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
5/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
But the evident respect between the two men did not stop McGregor from predicting that the fight would end via knockout.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
6/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone, a 36-13 veteran who has lost his last two fights, meanwhile admitted this was the toughest test of his career.
AP
7/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“He’s a two time champ, it’s the toughest battle to date. This is the biggest one so let’s see what happens.”
AP
8/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The pair shook hands before posing for photographs.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
9/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
But the pair appeared on good terms.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
10/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Tensions did not rise during the face-off.
AP
11/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
And the two men embraced before departing.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
12/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone faces the media ahead of the weigh-in on Friday.
AP
13/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The 36-year-old entered the fight with a 36-13-1 record.
AP
14/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
He was placed #5 in the UFC lightweight rankings.
AP
15/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
But is a regular campaigner at welterweight.
Getty Images
16/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Conor McGregor meanwhile revealed the series of events in the lead up to his defeat against Khabib Nurmagomedov that saw the Irishman drinking all week, competing in unprotected sparring and partying for days on end in celebration of knocking opponents out.
AP
17/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“I was drinking all bleeding fight week,” McGregor told Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show. “I had venom in me or something.
AP
18/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“I had people holed up in a hotel and I would ring and arrange a fight, they would come to the gym and have a full-blown fight with no headguards.
AP
19/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“I'd have a war, win and knock the guy out and go off and celebrate and come back in three days.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
20/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“I wasn't doing what I should have been doing; I've made mistakes and I've been man enough to admit them.”
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
21/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“If I'm in the wrong, I'm in the wrong,” he continued. “I let people down and that's it. I'm in a position where I must take control of things and not shy away.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
22/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
“I've never done that in my career and I never will; the people who believe in me and support me deserve better."
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
23/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone arrives for the weigh-in.
Getty Images
24/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone was the first to make weight at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas on Friday morning.
AP
25/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor arrived 40 minutes into the two-hour weigh-in window.
Getty Images
26/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
He weighed-in at an identical weight: 170lbs.
Getty Images
27/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman prepares to take to the stage.
USA TODAY Sports
28/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor made a typically dramatic entrance.
AP
29/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
And gamely snarled for the cameras.
AP
30/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman kept things respectful for the fight, but ratcheted up the drama at the weigh-in.
REUTERS
31/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman's loyal fans watch on.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
32/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor is interviewed by Joe Rogan.
Getty Images
33/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The pair pose...
Getty Images
34/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
... and face-off for more photographs.
REUTERS
35/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone boats a notable height advantage.
AP
36/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The pair shake hands.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
37/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The first photograph from Saturday evening. Cowboy is the first to arrive at the T-Mobile Arena.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
38/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The American has his hands taped.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
39/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone quickly switches his smart black suit for a more casual outfit.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
40/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The 36-year-out cuts a calm and composed figure.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
41/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor is the last to arrive at the T-Mobile.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
42/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Sporting a burgundy suit, he arrives at the T-Mobile with his partner, Dee Devlin.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
43/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
He walks quickly to his dressing room...
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
44/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
... and, of course, sports his obligatory pre-fight sunglasses.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
45/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor is escorted to his dressing room.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
46/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Like Cerrone, he seems in an incredibly calm mood.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
47/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman even has time to enjoy a laugh and a joke with a member of his backroom team.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
48/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor poses with his fight kit.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
49/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman wore green shorts for his comeback bout.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
50/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The fight attracted plenty of famous fans...
REUTERS
51/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Lineal heavyweight champion of the world Tyson Fury enjoys himself behind Dee Devlin, McGregor's partner.
REUTERS
52/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor has his hands taped.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
53/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor also received a massage as his hands were taped.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
54/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman's team get to work.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
55/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor's dressing room was noticeably calmer than for previous fights.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
56/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor's team watch on as their man prepares for his comeback bout.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
57/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Octagon in the moments ahead of McGregor vs Cerrone.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
58/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cerrone prepares to walk to the Octagon.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
59/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
He makes his ring walk.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
60/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The American was first to enter the Octagon.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
61/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cowboy waits for his opponent to arrive.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
62/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor begins his ring walk.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
63/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The Irishman laps up the applause.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
64/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
He cut a much more restrained figure entering the Octagon.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
65/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
And - unusually - decided against entering the Octagon with a Billion Dollar Strut.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
66/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor prepares for battle.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
67/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The T-Mobile Arena holds its breath...
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
68/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The two square-up.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
69/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The fight begins at a tremendous pace with Cowboy clinching. But McGregor hits the American with four unorthodox shoulder strikes.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
70/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The pair separate and Cowboy throws a defensive kick..
REUTERS
71/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
... but McGregor throws a kick of his own which lands on Cowboy's chin.
AP
72/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The kick lands flush.
Getty Images
73/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
Cowboy staggers backwards.
AP
74/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
And McGregor attacks with a flying knee.
Getty Images
75/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
The blow lands.
REUTERS
76/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
And McGregor goes in for the kill.
REUTERS
77/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor's ground and pound is initially wild.
AP
78/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
But, after a few seconds and upon instruction by his coach, McGregor calms himself down.
Getty Images
79/104 The story of McGregor vs Cerrone
McGregor begins picking his shots...
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... and the fight is finished.
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The walk away.
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McGregor is the victor.
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Herb Dean called a halt to a brief one-sided contest within the first minute of the opening round.
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"I made history here, I set another record: I'm the first fighter in UFC history to secure knockout victories at featherweight, at lightweight and now at welterweight, so I'm very, very proud of that," McGregor said in the octagon.
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"Donald holds the record for most head-kick knockouts, I'm so happy to get him down with a head kick myself. I'm very, very happy, very proud.
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"Who's going up and down divisions and stopping people like that?
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"The UFC can strip fighters and gift other fighters make-believe belts in order to replicate my champ-champ status, but they can't give knockout victories across multiple weight divisions. Etch my name in history one more time."
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The former two-weight UFC champion had been out of action since losing to bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov at the same venue in October 2018, while this was his first win inside the octagon in more than three years.
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On that occasion, he stopped Eddie Alvarez to add the lightweight title to his featherweight crown, becoming the first fighter in the company to hold two belts simultaneously.
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He went on to fame and fortune with a crossover boxing bout against American superstar Floyd Mayweather, but a couple of legal issues after his defeat to Nurmagomedov placed a doubt on whether he would return to the octagon.
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McGregor, though, remains mixed martial arts' biggest draw, saying earlier this week he expects to pocket around 80million US dollars from his bout against Cerrone.
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As for what is next, McGregor, who has been linked with showdowns against welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and 'BMF' titlist Jorge Masvidal, added: "Any one of these little mouthy fools can get it.
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"It does not matter. I'm back and I'm ready. I like this weight division, I feel really good, it's good going up and down. God willing I came out of here unscathed."
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McGregor embraces his girlfriend.
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The pair celebrate McGregor's victory.
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McGregor also embraced Cowboy's grandmother.
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The two share a hug.
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McGregor and Cowboy shake hands.
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McGregor and Cowboy shake hands.
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Shortly after the fight, Cowboy was transported to hospital.
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Cowboy leaves the Octagon with his young son.
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McGregor exits the Octagon and is given an escort back to the dressing room.
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McGregor now boasts a 22-4 professional record and has a pick of potential opponents.
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McGregor and his family pose for a celebratory photograph.
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Take a look through the above gallery to relive one of the most emphatic performances in McGregor’s career.