Conor McGregor is the new UFC Interim Featherweight Champion.
The bloodied Dubliner defeated Chad Mendes late in the second round, after Mendes dominated the first two rounds on the ground.
McGregor will now fight Jose Aldo to reunify the titles.
#AndNew UFC interim featherweight champion of the world @TheNotoriousMMA! #UFC189 pic.twitter.com/tTP2rhl3bM
— #UFC189 (@ufc) July 12, 2015
#ANDNEW!!!!!! What a fight, what comeback, what a man! #UFC189 https://t.co/KQQHtxZFhD
— Setanta Sports (@SetantaSports) July 12, 2015
In the co main event Robbie Lawler retained his UFC Welterweight Title. He stopped Rory MacDonald early in the fifth round in a fight of the year contender.
McGregor's training partner Gunnar Nelson had a first round win. He submitted Brandon Thatch to move to 5-1 in the UFC.
Cathal Pendred lost for the first time in the UFC. The 27 year old who was looking to win his first five UFC fights, within a year of his debut lost to Boston's John Howard. In a fight that failed to excite, the 32 year old veteran controlled the final two rounds ot ensure victory.
Cathal Pendred loses his first fight in the UFC. John Howard wins the #UFC189 fight by split decision #ntfm pic.twitter.com/KC7dT3U8Ye
— Newstalk Sport (@NewstalkSport) July 12, 2015
John was the better man tonight. No excuses.Thanks for the support. Failure defeats losers, but it inspires winners. pic.twitter.com/S65YRXJVZE
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) July 12, 2015
The first Irish fighter in action tonight was Neil Seery. The Dubliner lost for the first time in three fights, as he lost a unanimous decision to Louis Smolka. Seery's record now stands at 2-2 in the UFC.
Neil Seery loses at #UFC189. His opponent Louis Smolka wins unanimous decision #ntfm pic.twitter.com/ul0TkOYyj2
— Newstalk Sport (@NewstalkSport) July 11, 2015
That's the way it goes no bad blood here pic.twitter.com/HmXPlNwnRB
— Neil 2 Tap Seery (@NeilSeeryMMA) July 12, 2015
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