It took only 40 seconds for Conor McGregor to beat Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone on his first fight in the Octagon since defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018.
But there was no bad blood between the two fighters after the UFC 246 main event and the post-match formalities were interrupted as Cowboy’s grandmother Jerry, 82, stepped into the cage to embrace both fighters.
Jerry is a fan of MMA beyond her grandson’s bouts and the embrace between her and McGregor was a touching moment in the T-Mobile Arena.
It was a fitting end to a fight week during which McGregor has behaved respectfully towards his opponent, a veteran of mixed martial arts who has fought in over 50 professional bouts.
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Speaking about the embrace with his foe’s family member after the fight, McGregor said: “She’s an amazing woman. She was here for the first fight of the night.
“What a woman, [who] has raised such a phenomenal fighter that’s etched in the annals of this game.
“So, much respect to the Cerrones and to their family.”
McGregor later added: “She’s a phenomenal women, that lady.
“She’s there from the first fight of the night to the final fight of the night.
She showed me respect and I showed her respect and it was great to finally meet her. What a lady, and what a man she’s raised.”
Despite the loss, Cerrone said that he has no plans to retire yet, while McGregor also outlined his plans for the future.
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“I like this [welter]weight division,” McGregor said, “I feel really good. It’s good going up and down [weight divisions].
“God willing I came out of here unscathed. I’m in shape. I don’t believe I’m there yet, though. I still have work to do to get back to where I was.
“So I’m going to party tonight, celebrate, spend time with my family and then get back in the gym and train.
“And anyone of these little mouthy fools can get it, all of them.”
A fight with Jorge Masvidal – who enjoyed a sensational 2019 – is widely touted, while Welterwight Champion Kamaru Usman is another potential opponent.
Usman, 32, made the crowd go wild when he pretended to yawn during McGregor’s post-match comments, but there is no doubt that McGregor is looking to become a three-weight world champion after previously claiming featherweight and lightweight gold.
The Irishman has also made it no secret that he is looking to avenge his defeat to Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, repeatedly taunting the undefeated Russian in recent months.
