Conor McGregor takes himself (and us) back to finding out about his UFC debut and the work he put into his craft
On April 6, 2013, the UFC was introduced to a future superstar who would quickly soon carve his footprint into the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. While no one knew Conor McGregor would go on to hold UFC titles simultaneously and break pay-per-view records at the time, McGregor made an impact almost immediately as he stepped into the Octagon.
It was in Stockholm, Sweden, at UFC on Fuel TV 9, that McGregor would signify his arrival with a 67-second finish of Marcus Brimage. It was also here where McGregor would lay down one of his most famous quotes, telling UFC President Dana White “60 Gs, baby!” after his performance — and he would be awarded the Knockout of the Night.
Now, eight years to the date of his debut, McGregor released a series of tweets reflecting on how he found out about his first UFC fight and the process leading into it.
Today in 2013 I weighed in for my UFC debut. What a journey! It would become my 12th KO in MMA competition. Dustin Poirier would then become my 12th first round KO in MMA competition.
This next fight will be my 12th UFC main event.
Rare company!
Proper Twelve baby! All day!— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 5, 2021
My ufc debut I found out 9 weeks out. I took a week to get right from not training/partying, and then 8 weeks out I moved to my sisters apt which was close to the gym. I woke up, trained, walked back to apartment, ate my meals and rested, trained again, back to apt, sleep, repeat
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 5, 2021
Double skills work. I also didn’t take rest days unless I absolutely had to. Not one. Not even a Sunday.
I will take this approach again for my comeback fight.
I didn’t become ufc champ champ with this method but I did become ufc 145 champion. Also the cage warrior champ champ.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 5, 2021
Conor McGregor says he’ll take the same approach from his UFC debut into his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier
The quick win over Brimage would just be the beginning of a highly successful career for McGregor, who’d go on to win the UFC featherweight and lightweight titles and become the first simultaneous two-division champ in UFC history. He’d also set a new record for most purchased UFC pay-per-view twice (UFC 202 and UFC 229), as well as have a crossover “Money Fight” with boxing star Floyd Mayweather Jr.
McGregor’s career, of course, would not come without controversy from the UFC 229 post-fight melee, to a number of sexual assault allegations, and from the Florida phone-smashing incident to punching an elderly gentleman in a pub.
McGregor also hasn’t had a meaningful win in the Octagon since becoming champ-champ, most recently being finished by KO/TKO for the first time in his career in January at UFC 257 against Dustin Poirier.
The two are scheduled to meet in a trilogy bout at UFC 264 on July 10 and one has to wonder if McGregor will be able to finally get back on track.
Follow along with FanSided for all your live news and highlights.