8 Star-Making Performances In The UFC
7. Conor McGregor Vs. Chad Mendes
Conor McGregor's ascent up the UFC ranks was punctuated with a series of unforgettable performances that all would have had a decent case for making this list, his debut destruction of Marcus Brimage, utilising his underrated grappling against a young Max Holloway, or his annihilation of the game Diego Brandao in front of a raucous hometown crowd all come to mind.
But throughout Conor's early UFC run, a consistent criticism emerged regarding his fighting style. Much like many of his European counterparts in the organisation, McGregor had no wrestling training prior to his MMA career and conventional wisdom stated that a high-level wrestler could neutralise the Irishman's power by out grappling him.
When Jose Aldo dropped out of UFC 189 due to injury and NCAA All-American Chad Mendes stepped up on short notice, the MMA world was about to find out whether McGregor could successfully stop a wrestler.
While fans waited in anticipation for the huge fight, the news could hardly have come at a worse time for McGregor. In preparing for Aldo, the Irishman's camp had been training for a striking-heavy fight, and a lingering knee injury prevented him from getting many live wrestling rounds prior to the bout.
However, when the cage door closed behind him, McGregor would prove the doubters wrong in emphatic fashion. Though Mendes did manage to score several takedowns on the Notorious one, McGregor successfully mitigated damage taken from ground and pound before punishing his opponent with stabbing body shots when they returned to the feet.
As the second round neared its end the American attempted a guillotine choke, but McGregor expertly rolled and disengaged. Once back in striking range, Conor blasted an exhausted Mendes with kicks before landing his trademark left straight against the cage and forcing referee Herb Dean to stop the fight.
As McGregor held the UFC Interim Featherweight Championship above his head in celebration, it was clear that a star of unprecedented size had been born.