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      Watch Conor McGregor in stunning sparring videos as UFC legend shows off impressive boxing skills

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      STUNNING sparring footage shows UFC star Conor McGregor unleashing his impressive boxing skills.
      The training clips range from before McGregor first won a UFC title in 2015 leading up to his boxing debut in 2017.

      Conor McGregor released unseen sparring footage

      The spars range from before after after he first became UFC champion

      McGregor works on his jujitsu with training partner Dillon Danis

      The footage, released by the Irishman’s media company TheMacLife, show spars in The Notorious’ Straight Blast Gym in Dublin and the UFC’s old Las Vegas Ultimate Fighter gym.
      McGregor works on his jujitsu with training partner Dillon Danis – who is 2-0 in Bellator – as well as six-time national Irish amateur boxing champion Conor Wallace, who in 2016 was brought in to replicate Nate Diaz’s southpaw boxing style.
      In the final spar the ex-featherweight and lightweight champion lands some telling combinations and counters.
      McGregor would go on to lose his ring debut against Floyd Mayweather in August 2017, winning some of the early battles before tiring and being stopped in the 10th round.

      The Irish southpaw would later admit he should have gone back to work with his old coaches at the Crumlin ABC before the money-spinning crossover bout.
      For his UFC return in January, McGregor did spend time at his first gym and even brought head trainer Phil Sutcliffe to Vegas to have him in his corner.

      I learned may things boxing in Crumlin where I grew up, and my deep love is why I do this today. I will be in Octagon again soon and fully expect to box again.
      McGregor on his fighting future

      Earlier this year, McGregor’s head coach John Kavanagh told journalist Gareth A Davies he would be expect the UFC star to box again.

      The trainer said: “I’d honestly be surprised if Conor doesn’t have a boxing match in the next 12-18 months.
      “He loves boxing. He loved the training for the Mayweather fight. It has to be something big, whatever he does seems to always get bigger. He’s always looking for that next step up.”
      McGregor would later tell Bleacher Report that he “fully” expects to box again.

      He said: “I plan on being around for a long time inside the Octagon, boxing ring, and well beyond my fighting career.
      “I love the fight game. I learned may things boxing in Crumlin where I grew up, and my deep love is why I do this today.
      “I will be in Octagon again soon and fully expect to box again.”
      And plans are afoot for the 32-year-old to step back into the ring and face Manny Pacquiao with a fight reportedly pencilled in for the Middle East next year.

      Conor McGregor lost his professional boxing debut to Floyd MayweatherCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Eddie Hearn planning for UFC-style promotion in boxing in 2021 and axing world title belts ‘as there’s too many’

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      EDDIE HEARN wants to follow in the UFC’s footsteps and have a sole champion reign in each boxing division.
      The promoter admitted there too many belts to win, with a champion needing the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO to be deemed undisputed.

      Eddie Hearn wants to follow in the UFC’s footsteps and have a sole champion reign in each boxing divisionCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      UFC president Dana White has one champion in each of his divisions Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Hearn revealed he is working on a ‘blueprint’ for each division to have just one champion, like is the case in the UFC.
      He told Sky Sports: “If you look at the UFC model, which we’re all envious of.
      “It’s one promotional company and one belt, and that’s what I want to get to in boxing.
      “And it’s going to take a lot of work, but we’re putting the blueprint in for that.

      “It’s something that we’re going to be pushing hard for in 2020 as we continue to expand.”
      Hearn is currently working on a deal for unified champion Anthony Joshua, 31, to face WBC king Tyson Fury, 32, twice next year.
      It would see the first ever heavyweight to hold all four major belts, and achieving the goal of one champion.

      Boxing champion Teofimo Lopez won four lightweight titles Credit: Handout – Getty

      Khabib Nurmagomedov is the UFC lightweight champion Credit: Getty – Contributor

      But Hearn admits the history each strap provides will make it difficult to convince a boxer to instead merge them all together.

      He said: “What we do have to understand is belts do matter.
      “These governing bodies are steeped in history. These fighters that other fighters look up to and they’re role models and heroes.
      “They see them with the green and gold WBC belts. So we can’t forget that.”

      Derek Chisora takes repeated punches to the stomach to show he’s ready for upcoming fight More

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      Floyd Mayweather slams Conor McGregor-Manny Pacquiao fight rumours and reveals he’s in talks with UFC chief Dana White

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER has rubbished the potential fight between Conor McGregor and Manny Pacquiao – and revealed he is in talks with UFC chief Dana White.
      The Money – who outclassed BOTH McGregor and Pacquaio in the boxing ring – reckons Notorious will not make anywhere near the money he made from his clash with Mayweather by fighting the 41-year-old Filipino.

      UFC legend Conor McGregor says he will fight Manny Pacquiao in the boxing ring next yearCredit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma

      Manny Pacquiao will come out of retirement to fight Conor McGregor in the Middle East next year claims the FilipinoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Floyd ‘Pretty Boy’ Mayweather reckons Conor McGregor will make nowhere near the amount of money he paid when he fought him in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      American legend Mayweather fought UFC star McGregor in 2017 – but the Irishman was eventually stopped in the tenth round of a one-sided contest.
      McGregor reportedly picked up $100million (around £70m) for that fight, with the unbeaten Money – acclaimed as the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all time – earning $300m (around £210m).
      That has not stopped McGregor looking to make another ring return by taking on PacMan, who fought Mayweather in one of the biggest PPV fights of all time.
      But Mayweather told American daily USA Today: “He’s not going to get the money he got with me if he go with Pacquiaio. It’s not going to be as big.

      “You know, it gets no bigger than Floyd Mayweather.”
      Pretty Boy then revealed he has been messaging UFC president White.
      “Me and Dana talk. I wouldn’t say always, but we’ll text and talk on the phone every once in a while.
      “Dana’s a cool guy, he’s a great guy. And he’s doing a helluva job with the UFC and I’m proud of him.

      “We look forward to working with each other in the future. Are we going to work? Absolutely.”
      Pacquiao confirmed he expects to fight McGregor next under Queensberry rules in the Middle East next year.
      The Irishman, 31, has also said he expects his next fight to be against the Filipino – but not in the octagon.
      McGregor actually landed more punches on Mayweather than Pacquaio managed – but the Filipino was a shadow of his sensational best when he fought the Money in 2015.
      The pair have often talked up a rematch but this has not been able to be fixed up.
      Mayweather has also been linked with another fight with the PacMan.
      McGregor had been linked with a fight with unbeaten UFC fighter Khabib, but this looks to be ditched after the Russian retired after his win over Justin Gaethje last night.
      Pretty Boy, 43, officially retired in 2015 with an unblemished record of 49-0.

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      Floyd Mayweather claims Conor McGregor fight with Pacquiao is NOT as big as their clash and will not make as much money

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER insisted Conor McGregor facing Manny Pacquiao will not make as much money as his fight with the UFC star.
      McGregor – who lost his boxing debut against Mayweather in 2017 – was in talks to box Pacquiao in his next fight.

      Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017 Credit: Getty – Contributor

      Manny Pacquiao has been in talks to fight McGregor Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Instead, he is close to agreeing a return to the UFC having accepted a headliner with Dustin Poirier for January, but contracts are yet to be signed.
      McGregor, 32, still hopes to fight Pacquiao, 41, after rematching Poirier who he beat at featherweight in 2014.
      But Mayweather, 43, told his former rival not to expect as big a payday as he received for their crossover mega-fight three years ago.
      He told USA Today: “He’s not going to get the money he got with me if he go with Pacquiao.

      “It’s not going to be as big. You know, it gets no bigger than Floyd Mayweather.’’
      Mayweather retired as a professional after beating McGregor in ten rounds.
      But he returned at the end of 2018 to beat featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in an exhibition bout in Japan.
      Then, last November Mayweather announced plans to fight again, working with UFC president Dana White on a comeback.

      He is still in talks with White, having revealed he would fight McGregor or Khabib Nurmagomedov but only for £230m.
      Mayweather said: “Me and Dana talk. I wouldn’t say always, but we’ll text and talk on the phone every once in a while.
      “Dana’s a cool guy, he’s a great guy. And he’s doing a helluva job with the UFC and I’m proud of him.
      “And we look forward to working with each other in the future. Are we going to work? Absolutely.”

      Dana White ‘expects’ Conor McGregor to fight Dustin Poirier again in UFC after publicly accepting bout… but at 155lbs More

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      Teofimo Lopez called out by UFC legend Henry Cejudo and says ‘be a good babysitter and watch over Daddy’s belts’

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      TEOFIMO LOPEZ has been called out by UFC star Henry Cejudo for a fight just over a day after shocking the world to beat Vasyl Lomachenko.
      The American put on a supreme performance at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday night to easily outpoint the boxer ranked by many as the pound-for-pound king.

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      Teofimo Lopez is the undisputed lightweight champ after easily beating Vasyl LomachenkoCredit: Handout – Getty

      One judge gave it to the 23-year-old by TEN ROUNDS, such was his dominance in the fight.
      It meant Lopez added the WBA, WBO and WBC ‘franchise’ belts to his IBF strap and is the undisputed lightweight champ.
      Now former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champ Cejudo fancies a crossover bout against boxing’s newest star.
      The 33-year-old Californian uploaded a video of him clapping Lopez after watching him outpoint Lomachenko while wearing a crown on his head.

      He captioned it: “@teofimolopez congratulations on your unification.
      “Be a good babysitter and watch over Daddy’s belts! #younext.”
      Cejudo isn’t the only one to call out Lopez after his stunning dismantling of 32-year-old Lomachenko at the weekend.
      Ryan Garcia, who fights Brit Luke Campbell next in November, tweeted: “I got my fight against Luke Campbell but I would love to fight Lopez.

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      Henry Cejudo fancies a crack at boxing’s newest sensationCredit: Getty – Contributor

      I got my fight against luke Campbell but I would love to fight Lopez, there is still a lot of unanswered questions in this lightweight division
      — Ryan Garcia (@KingRyanG) October 18, 2020

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      “There is still a lot of unanswered questions in this lightweight division.”
      And Devin Haney, who holds the WBC ‘regular’ belt, also wants a crack at Lopez.
      After being called out himself by Lopez in his post-fight interview, Haney tweeted: “Lopez vs Haney 2021. Let’s do It! #AllTheBelts.”
      That looks a likely option with the WBC then able to combine their two belts into one.
      While Lopez’s victory, and the one-sided one at that, will have shocked many, one boxing champ won’t have been surprised.

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      Tyson Fury predicted the New Yorker would spring a surprise on Lomachenko – after branding him a ‘heavyweight on tiny legs’.
      Speaking after seeing Lopez beat Richard Commey to win his IBF belt, Fury told iFL TV: “Let me tell you; Richard Commey is a very good fighter, and I’m a big fan of him as well.
      “Little Teofimo just walked right through him. He’s the biggest little tiny man I’ve seen in my life.
      “And he’s the biggest little man I’ve ever seen.
      “He’s the biggest heavyweight on the planet, barring nobody, and I’ve got to back what he says.
      “There isn’t any 135 or 140-pounder that can beat him.
      “No Lomachenkos or nobody, because he’s a heavyweight on two tiny legs with speed and power.”

      Teofimo Lopez does a snowflake as he celebrates victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo backs Khabib to beat Justin Gatethje as Juventus star says ‘of course’ UFC champ will retain belt

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has backed Khabib Nurmagomedov to ‘of course’ beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
      Unbeaten Khabib headlines Fight Island next weekend against interim champion Gaethje in a lightweight unification.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo pictured in 2018 with UFC champion Khabib NurmagomedovCredit: Refer to Caption

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      Ronaldo backed Nurmagomedov to ‘of course’ beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 254

      Juventus forward Ronaldo, 35, was asked to predict the outcome of the title fight.
      And the Portugal icon – currently self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus – has tipped Nurmagomedov, 32, to retain his crown.
      Ronaldo answered on an Instagram live stream: “Of course, of course, Khabib is going to win!
      “My brother! Inshallah!”

      The two mega-stars previously met in 2018, where the pair posed together and Nurmagomedov held up a Real Madrid shirt.
      Ronaldo is a UFC fan and previously trained with Russian Khabib’s former opponent and rival Conor McGregor, 32.
      McGregor and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner met up in Las Vegas in 2016.
      Ronaldo then invited the Irishman and his trainer John Kavanagh to Jennifer Lopez’s party.

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      McGregor and five-time Ballon d’Or Ronaldo met up in Las Vegas in 2016Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk

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      McGregor pictured with Jennifer Lopez at her party Credit: Refer to Caption

      Kavanagh told the Irish Independant: “We’re all there thinking: ‘How can Ronaldo invite us to this gig? Who’s going to be there?’
      “Even in the car as we’re driving in: ‘Wait! This a terrible mistake. We’re going to walk in here and be thrown out by some security guard!’
      “We go in and J-Lo catches his [McGregor’s] eye and comes running over like a schoolgirl: “Oh! Conor McGregor! Thank you for coming. Let’s dance!”

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      in Boxing

      Errol Spence Jr desperate to face Manny Pacquiao but says ‘living legend’ has earned right to pick Conor McGregor fight

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      ERROL SPENCE JR is desperate to face Manny Pacquiao before the ‘living legend’ retires.
      But the unified welterweight champion admits the Filipino icon has ‘earned’ the right to fight UFC star Conor McGregor instead.

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      Manny Pacquiao with unbeaten champion Errol Spence Jr Credit: Rex Features

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      McGregor is in talks to face Pacquiao Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Spence, who returns to the ring on December 5 against Danny Garcia, is already targeting a unification with Pacquiao.
      He told SunSport: “After this fight, of course I would like to fight Manny Pacquiao. He’s on his way out so I’d love to have that fight. 
      “He’s a living legend, and I’ve never fought someone of that calibre. He’s big and not just a boxing star, he’s an icon, a mega-star. 
      “That would be different and it would send me somewhere else popularity-wise. 

      “Pacquiao has been in the sport 20-something years, he’s an icon even outside the sport. Everybody knows who Manny Pacquiao is.
      “That would be a great fight for me.”
      WBC and IBF title holder Spence, 30, has long called to share the ring with eight-division champion Pacquiao, 41,
      But the unbeaten Texan could be beaten to the punch by McGregor, who lost his boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather, 43, in 2017.

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      With Pacquiao already holding talks to face the Irishman, Spence’s dream fight has been dealt a blow.
      But the American holds no ill-will towards the veteran, as PacMan’s years of taking on all comers at all weights justifies a lucrative payday against McGregor.
      Spence said: “I don’t blame him, Manny Pacquiao earned that right. 
      “He’s earned his right to make his money and fight whoever he wants to fight, because he fought whoever was lined up to fight him.  
      “I’m not mad at it at all, if I was 40-something and was offered that kind of money to fight Conor McGregor, I’d take the fight too, I don’t blame him.”
      McGregor had announced his next fight would be against Pacquiao, but now appears to have committed himself to the UFC.

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      UFC star McGregor was beaten on his boxing debut by Floyd Mayweather Credit: Reuters

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      McGregor has been training ahead of his UFC comeback
      It comes as the 32-year-old accepted a rematch against Dustin Poirier – who he beat in 2014 – on January 23 and hopes to fight in Spence’s home of Texas.
      But then he will focus his efforts on a return to boxing.
      McGregor tweeted: “I accept, Jan 23rd is on! My goal is to see this fight take place in Cowboy stadium. Proper Style!
      “Jerry Jones is a friend and the stadium can hold our crowd. I will be ready for Texas and Texas will be ready for my fans! Then Manny.”
      The UFC is yet to headline at the Dallas Cowboys 80,000-capacity home.
      But over 47,000 fans filled into the AT&T Stadium in March 2019 to watch Spence dominate 32-year-old Mikey Garcia.

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      Over 47,000 fans filled into the NFL stadium in March 2019 to watch Spence dominate Mikey GarciaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      His next fight, which comes a year after the boxer was hospitalised following a horror car crash, has been moved to accommodate a limited crowd.
      Spence will now defend his titles against two-weight champ Garcia, 32, back at the Cowboy’s stadium, and has a point to prove to his home supporters.
      He explained: “I fought at the Cowboys stadium before, but to be fighting again, especially after my accident, this is a great homecoming. 
      “I’m very excited, because I know people are watching me closely thinking I won’t be the same Errol Spence as I have been. 
      “I’m just focussed to prove everybody wrong and go out there and be victorious.”

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      Spence pictured after his car crash in 2019

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      The wreckage of Spence’s car after the accident in DallasCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Conor McGregor’s greatest rivalries and best feuds including Khabib bus attack and Floyd Mayweather public bust-ups

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      CONOR McGREGOR has been at the centre of some of the most incredible moments inside – and outside – of the UFC octagon.
      And the Irishman even upset plenty of boxing purists when he swapped fighting codes to face Floyd Mayweather in the ring three years ago.

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      Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor endured a bitter feudCredit: Getty – Contributor

      McGregor has four times shattered the UFC’s pay-per-view record thanks to bitter and hyped pre-fight build ups.
      And the former two-weight champion has proven value for money with great highs and devastating lows in the cage.
      Here SunSport takes a look at the Irishman’s greatest rivalries and feuds.
      Khabib Nurmagomedov
      Before Khabib and McGregor sold 2.4m PPV’s – the most in UFC history – the animosity had already reached boiling point.

      McGregor got himself arrested in April 2018, six months before their fight, after attacking a bus which had Nurmagomedov inside.
      When the lightweight title fight was announced, The Notorious wasted no time in attacking his rival, mocking his religion, family and entourage.
      But McGregor was made to pay for his words, after tapping out in round four of their grudge match.
      Soon after, a post-fight brawl between both teams erupted outside and inside the octagon.

      It has fulled demand for a rematch, with McGregor and Khabib still eager to settle the score.

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      McGregor attacked a bus that had Khabib inside

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      Nate Diaz
      McGregor was in line to challenge for the lightweight belt in March 2016, but Rafael dos Anjos pulled out with a foot injury.
      It allowed Diaz to step in on 11 days’ notice with the fight moved to a welterweight headliner – and immediately the pair clashed.
      The pre-fight build up was intense with back and forth verbals, but McGregor was silenced as he gassed out in round two and submitted.
      He remained humble after his first UFC defeat but demanded a rematch, which he received five months later.
      McGregor would enact revenge at UFC 202 in a five round thriller, setting up a trilogy and building silent respect between the two.
      Both stars have since gone their separate ways, but the door is still open for the rubber match.

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      McGregor and Nate Diaz built a silent respect after their two fights Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Floyd Mayweather
      McGregor put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to prepare for his lucrative pro boxing debut against Mayweather.
      The UFC superstar was full of brash promises and predictions before the fight, which would see his odds of winning slashed to 4/1.
      McGregor insisted that Mayweather was ‘too small’ and after the gloves were changed from 10oz to 8oz he said the unbeaten legend would only last two rounds.
      In the end, the ring novice chalked up an early lead – as Mayweather toyed with him – but tired as the bout went on and would be stopped in round ten.
      McGregor’s confidence seems not to have taken a dent, having repeatedly called for a rematch.
      Before his last win, against Donald Cerrone in January, the southpaw returned to his first amateur boxing coaches and feels he now has the guidance to beat Mayweather.

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      McGregor was full of brash promises and predictions before being beaten by Floyd Mayweather Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Paulie Malignaggi
      Before McGregor’s ‘money-fight’ with Mayweather, a now infamous sparring session with Malignaggi threatened to steal the headlines.
      Malignaggi stormed out of the Dubliner’s camp after pictures and footage leaked – including a disputed knockdown of the retired boxer.
      The pair even came to ahead during a press conference before Mayweather fought McGregor.
      Two-weight world champion Malignaggi has on numerous times challenged McGregor and mocked his boxing ability in constant verbal attacks.
      McGregor revealed in January he wanted to box again and Malignaggi was a potential opponent.
      He told ESPN: “I’d like to box Paulie, why not? That’s a bit of buzz, Paulie in a boxing bout.”

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      Paulie Malignaggi and McGregor built a feud after their sparring sessions
      Jose Aldo
      McGregor was first scheduled to fight Aldo in July 2015 and the pair visited eight cities to promote the event.
      Brazilian Aldo – unbeaten for ten years at the time – was subject to constant verbal and mental warfare by his outspoken challenger.
      But the fight was delayed after the champion pulled out injured, with McGregor instead beating Chad Mendes for the interim title.
      The featherweight unification was moved to December, allowing McGregor more time to get under Aldo’s skin.
      It proved vital, as Aldo appeared tense before the bell sounded and was knocked out in 13 seconds having recklessly charged forward.
      McGregor paid his respect to the legendary South American afterwards and even offered him a rematch, but The Notorious would instead go on to bigger and better things.

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      McGregor won the mental war against Jose Aldo befor KOing him in 13 secondsCredit: Corbis

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