UFC 189 in Tweets: Pros react to Conor McGregor’s TKO win, Robbie Lawler retaining his welterweight title

Feel free to let the hyperbole fly on this one.

The UFC’s biggest night of the year certainly didn’t disappoint as featherweight phenom Conor McGregor scored a second-round TKO over fellow contender Chad Mendes to become the promotion’s interim champion at UFC 189 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In an instant classic and leading contender for ‘Fight of the Year,’ UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler pushed No. 1 contender Rory MacDonald to his breaking point to score a TKO win in the final championship round.

See how the pros reacted to all the action tonight at UFC 189.

LUCK OF THE IRISH

The issue is not if Mendez can take Connor down,but if he can KEEP HIM THERE? Mcgregor wins with range/space,I believe by KO @MonsterEnergy

— Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) July 12, 2015

Ready to Rumble!! @chadmendes @ufc #UFC189 https://t.co/7NYDdZiHwi

— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) July 12, 2015

Hype surrounding #UFC189 was never about the FIGHT. Was about the FIGHTER. His opponent is irrelevant. Also known as the Chael Sonnen effect

— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) July 12, 2015

I hope Sinead tears up a pic of Mendes after Conor’s walkout. #UFC189

— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) July 12, 2015

If Connor loses tonight he can blame sinead oconnor

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 12, 2015

Even the Irish singers aren’t good at what they do!

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) July 12, 2015

Well, mendes won the walkout music already #UFC189

— Ricardo Lamas (@RicardoLamasMMA) July 12, 2015

This is a game changer ! #ufc189

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 12, 2015

#sorrynotsorry @chadmendes #WalkOut way #moebetta then Conor’s! #RealMoneyTeam #ChadMendes #UFC189 #MURICA #LETSGO! pic.twitter.com/eqb1ZiOoYu

— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) July 12, 2015

— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) July 12, 2015

Fucking chills…. Let’s go Chad! Put this dude on his ass!!! @chadmendes #UF189

— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) July 12, 2015

McGregor bleeds!

— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) July 12, 2015

Mendes 10-9. Looking great but just wish he had more time to prepare for this fight

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 12, 2015

Imagine if @chadmendes had a full camp

— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) July 12, 2015

In the midst of all this chaos Connor is still running his mouth from EVERY position. I love it! #UFC189

— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) July 12, 2015

Chad looks a little tired, should win this rnd but man 5 rnds on 17 days training is really tough

— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) July 12, 2015

Exposed #gomendes

— rachael ostovich (@rachaelostovich) July 12, 2015

McGregor: “Herb I’ve fallen and can’t get up, please help”

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) July 12, 2015

The best @TheNotoriousMMA #ufc189

— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) July 12, 2015

Wow!!!! @ufc #ufc189

— Mark Muñoz (@mark_munoz) July 12, 2015

That was a little early on that stop. Bad call

— Daron Cruickshank (@Cruickshank155) July 12, 2015

That stoppage looked a little premature

— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) July 12, 2015

To early to stop a title fight in my mind. #UFC189

— Aaron Riley (@aaronrileymma) July 12, 2015

Chad looked gassed the fuck out.

— Boom Boom (@BostonSalmon) July 12, 2015

Mendes controls all of rd 2 in the guard but with 30sec left they get up and he has nothing left. Connor wins by Tko #ufc189

— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) July 12, 2015

Gotta give it to mcgregor. Hard shots and he ate them. But I think if we see a full camp mendes, were looking at completely different fight

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 12, 2015

Give Chad an immediate rematch, he didn’t get out skilled. He fought a guy who was in a 3 month camp and he stepped up on 2 weeks notice.

— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) July 12, 2015

WTF that was a way early stoppage!!!

— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) July 12, 2015

Mendes beats his ass on a full training camp.

— Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) July 12, 2015

Congrats @TheNotoriousMMA , fashion icon, talker, son , boyfriend………..CHAMPION! Congrats buddy!

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 12, 2015

Nothing to say but simply amazing. Different level of striker. @TheNotoriousMMA has indeed changed the game! #TheMcGregorEffect

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 12, 2015

Congratulations to the first Irish @ufc champion @TheNotoriousMMA #ufc189

— Joseph duffy (@Duffy_MMA) July 12, 2015

@TheNotoriousMMA is the real deal come on @josealdojunior heal up and show him who the real champ is.

— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) July 12, 2015

Somewhere Steven Seagal is taking credit for that win. #UFC189 http://t.co/XZO9cBse6O

— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) July 12, 2015

Super classy interview with @chadmendes. Always a fan. #ufc189

— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) July 12, 2015

Congrats to @TheNotoriousMMA & @chadmendes amazing fights. #UFC189

— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) July 12, 2015

Crazy event !! Congrats to @TheNotoriousMMA

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 12, 2015

Best @ufc ever! @TheNotoriousMMA is the biggest star we’ve ever seen. Amazing night of fights! Thanks for tuning in #fightcompanion #UFC189

— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) July 12, 2015

I’ll fight ..

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) July 12, 2015

AND STILL

Sending all of my energy to one of the men I respect and appreciate with 100% of my being @Ruthless_RL #andstill

— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) July 12, 2015

I’m so happy for Rory; he deserves this moment. This chance for glory. #UFC189

— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) July 12, 2015

This should be an interesting one! #UFC189 @ufc I want that belt baaaaaaack!

— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) July 12, 2015

First RD even, 2nd RD for Lawler. #UFC189

— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) July 12, 2015

Rory starting to look like a walking dead extra tho…

— Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) July 12, 2015

Is this why Rory is called the Red King? Nice face paint.

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) July 12, 2015

Holy shit! We have a fight! @ufc #LawlerVsMacDonald

— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) July 12, 2015

Ladies and gentlemen, we officially have a war on our hands. #UFC189

— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) July 12, 2015

Robbie controlling rd 3 until last 35 sec where Rory lands a head kick and opens up on him. Robbie rocked at the bell 2-1 Rory #ufc189

— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) July 12, 2015

The Real Main Event! #UFC189

— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) July 12, 2015

Finish HIM!!!!!

— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) July 12, 2015

WAR!!!!!!!!!!! #UFC189

— Dana White (@danawhite) July 12, 2015

Wow. Amazing fight. 2-2 going to fifth.

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 12, 2015

#UFC189 Lawler vs Macdonald OH MY GAWD!!! #Respect #TheOnceAndFutureKing

— TheOnceAndFutureKing (@BensonHenderson) July 12, 2015

Sick sick sick knockout by Lawler #ufc189 @ufc

— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) July 12, 2015

#Lawler may not be human. My complete and utter respect for both him and #MacDonald #studs #UFC189 #AndStill

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 12, 2015

MMA’s Mike Tyson!!! Ruthless Robbie Lawler

— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) July 12, 2015

Robbie lands a cross that looked like it crumpled Rory to get the Tko in rd 5. Great fight! #andstill #ufc189

— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) July 12, 2015

What a f#×kin fight! Those boys are Champs. Hats off to both of u @Ruthless_RL and @rory_macdonald no loser in that fight. Whay heart!

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 12, 2015

Huge congrats to the champ Lawler! Both warriors!! #UFC189

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 12, 2015

Let’s do this Robbie Lawler…. #BiggRigg is coming! https://t.co/BapxLZ8JXW pic.twitter.com/FEg7grTiJB

— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) July 12, 2015

There isn’t a fight Joe Rogan has called that hasn’t been the greatest fight he’s ever seen. But he had that one right. #UFC189

— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) July 12, 2015

It is my understanding that all 3 judges had it 3 rounds to 1 for #MacDonald heading into round 5. #UFC189

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 12, 2015

From @MikeyJ_MMA: Robbie Lawler visiting Rory McDonald post-fight #Respect pic.twitter.com/xRyeHV0pxc

— Mike Kovacs (@LWOSworld) July 12, 2015

I’LL HAVE ANOTHER

Been pumped to watch my boy @LiLHeathenMMA bring the pain in this scrap with Bermudez. #UFC189 #Monsterenergy

— Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) July 12, 2015

Lil Heathen is The Shining-level bloody right now . #UFC189

— Sean O’Connell (@realOCsports) July 12, 2015

Now that’s a blood bath

— Randa Markos (@randamma) July 12, 2015

This fight is bananas!!!!! Both got dropped with Bermudez getting the worst of it. Fight is even and for sure FOTN #ufc189

— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) July 12, 2015

Daaamnnnnn! Nasty #UFC189

— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 12, 2015

Second flying knee! Love it. Awesome work @LiLHeathenMMA! #ufc189

— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) July 12, 2015

That’s gotta be the fight of the night Wow!

— Randa Markos (@randamma) July 12, 2015

Well, nevermind judges, we never trust you anyway

— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) July 12, 2015

2 flying knee KO’s in 1 night??? Wow. Crazy! @ufc @danawhite @lorenzofertitta

— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) July 12, 2015

Every body getting $50k tonight lol #UFC189

— Terrion Flash Ware (@flashmma) July 12, 2015

Heck yeah @LiLHeathenMMA !! Crazy fight and a crazy knockout!!@ufc

— Myles Jury (@FuryJury) July 12, 2015

The @Reebok stuff looks great but the white shows so much blood. #UFC189

— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) July 12, 2015

@LiLHeathenMMA #Killer @ufc #ufc #UFC189 #UFCFightWeek the walk out song should given his performance away!! “Real MuthasPhuckin G’s!” #FOTN

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) July 12, 2015

Back me into a corner in life, a fight, anything or anywhere…. I’m knocking anyone out! Thanks for all the love and support! #UFC189

— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) July 12, 2015

Dana just offered me a rematch and I accepted. #192

— Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) July 12, 2015

IRELAND’S OWN

Brandon thatch same height and reach as me, didnt do me any good against him lol

— Danny Mitchell (@DannyAranha) July 12, 2015

Gunner Nelson is “DEAD FACE”, the Fedor face reincarnate. #UFC189

— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) July 12, 2015

Thatch making Gunner look like a lightweight. Another massive 170. Let’s see winner vs Matt Brown. #UFC189

— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) July 12, 2015

0-2 jesus

— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) July 12, 2015

Gunnar lulls you to sleep on your feet, drops you, then puts you to sleep on the ground. #UFC189

— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) July 12, 2015

Gunnar drops thatch with a hook cross then showcases fluid ground control to get the back and Rnc In rd 1 #ufc189

— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) July 12, 2015

Did not see that going down quite like that. Impressive #UFC189 #

— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) July 12, 2015

Great job @GunniNelson!

— Rick (@Rick_Story) July 12, 2015

That was awesome!!! ….but poor Thatch 🙁 that’s two RNCs in a row.

— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) July 12, 2015

Ken Shamrock watched the finish to Nelson vs Thatch and asked, “is that a new technique?” #UFC189 http://t.co/yXJSHDBr4b

— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) July 12, 2015

@GunniNelson by rear naked choke 😉 Iceland and the Jiujitsu family smiles

— Renzo_Gracie_BJJ (@RenzoGracieBJJ) July 12, 2015

DAT KNEE

Serious question: anyone know how many times Brad Pickett’s nose has been broken? #UFC189

— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) July 12, 2015

This fight is going to be a fun fight to watch #UFC189 almeida is fun to watch

— Truck Gordon (@TruckMMA_UFC) July 12, 2015

Pickett is getting after it here!

— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) July 12, 2015

Wow!! What a crazy first round

— Randa Markos (@randamma) July 12, 2015

Once Almeida warms up he’s a dynamo. Watch for his left hook to the liver. #UFC189

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 12, 2015

Wow. That double jumping knee KO sounded like a baseball bat hitting a side of beef. #UFC189

— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) July 12, 2015

That was a crazy ko! Sweet knee by Thomas Almeida #UFC189

— Jessica Penne (@JessicaPenne) July 12, 2015

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) July 12, 2015

My GOD that head snap on the canvas was brutal!! Sign of a complete KO

— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) July 12, 2015

I’m literally speechless right now. Just WOW. @UFC #UFC189

— Elias Silvério (@EliasSilverio) July 12, 2015

Sick knee! That was a great fight and that knockout was awesome. @ufc

— Myles Jury (@FuryJury) July 12, 2015

What a great fight @One_Punch is a beast. One of the best fights I’ve seen in years. Head up brother.

— Kong Watson (@TomKongWatson) July 12, 2015

@kennyflorian oh and that double knee too. What an arsenal!!! The Brazilian Almeida remains undefeated. #UFC189

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 12, 2015

DAMN IT…….

— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) July 12, 2015

Really sorry if I let anyone down tonight truly gutted @ThomasalmeidaCB is a true talent and I wish him all the best in the future @ufc

— Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) July 12, 2015