This is the UFC 189 live blog for Chad Mendes vs. Conor McGregor, a featherweight bout at Saturday night’s UFC event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Mendes, who has won four of his past five fights, will face McGregor, who has won 13 straight fights, on the main card.
Check out the UFC 189 live blog below.
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Waiting for the walkouts here. All the descriptors of what gives McGregor the “it” factor are now on display. His toughest test to date is about to happen. The stakes couldn’t be bigger. Should he win, a potential mega-fight with Aldo at Croke Park in Ireland, an event that could threaten PPV records. Should he lose, the mystique takes a hit.
Now Sinead O’Connor is rising up through a green-lit fog singing in Ireland’s greatest fighting icon. The crowd is rapt. What a moment. O’Connor looks very much the same. And the screen flashes to McGregor making his way down the tunnel. He has the wild eyes. He has the flag draped on him. He is shadow-boxing his way towards the opening in the arena. McGregor comes through, and the crowd is alive! He is at a trot to the cage. McGregor now hugging his coaches and trainers as a chant of “Ole” breaks out. McGregor lifts his arms up and acknowledges his reception as he enters the cage and does a lap.
Now Mendes making his way out with Aaron Lewis performing on an acoustic. Irish fans chanting through it. Mendes draped in American flag and scowling. Pretty intense moment here. Two live performances to bring in the fighters. All has such a big feel to it. Mendes enters the cage. McGregor stalks through the cage as he does. McGregor is jawing at him.
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Round 4:
Round 5: