10 Conor McGregor "What Ifs"

With Diaz in the rear-view mirror, the lightweight title fight between Conor McGregor and the new lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez was booked for UFC 205 in November 2016 in New York.

McGregor made it to fight night with the featherweight title still around his waist, despite complaints from the competitors of the featherweight division, who had been waiting for the champion to return to the division for over a year. McGregor knocked out Eddie Alvarez in the second round to realise his dream. The fight was a striking masterclass in timing, power and efficiency from The Notorious, in which Alvarez had no chance of countering. It was a frightening display from a man who had reached the pinnacle of the sport in only the tenth fight of his UFC career.

The visuals and title that accompanied the UFC’s first-ever two-division champion propelled McGregor into a God-like state, and the company's only issue now was keeping him amongst their ranks. Make no mistake, Conor McGregor is a super-athlete that reached the apex of his profession through grit, laborious work and an unbelievably self-confident and robust mindset. Still, he also has the UFC to thank for so much. Without their desire to push him to the stars and beyond, without their flexibility and at times, bias, Conor would not have the accolades he boasts now. Dana White has played as much a part in the success of Conor McGregor than anyone, but he has also benefited financially from him more than anyone. You could even argue that the sale of the UFC for over $4billion to WME-IMG can be credited to Conor McGregor.