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5 Conor McGregor fights every MMA fan needs to watch

Originally posted on HITC | By Guadalupe Carniel | Last updated Jan 1, 2026 11:00 AM ET

Conor McGregor has teased a return to the Octagon, reigniting excitement around the former UFC champion’s legendary prime.

The Irish superstar recently re-entered the USADA drug-testing pool, with his team openly targeting a comeback fight at the rumored UFC White House event on July 4, 2026. With fans eager to see McGregor compete again for the first time since his brutal leg injury against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, now is the perfect time to revisit his most unforgettable bouts.

5. Conor McGregor vs Marcus Brimage — 2013 UFC Debut (67 seconds)

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McGregor wasted no time announcing his arrival in the UFC. In his promotional debut in 2013, he dismantled Marcus Brimage in just 67 seconds.

Already a two-division Cage Warriors champion, McGregor stunned Brimage with a vicious uppercut before unleashing a barrage of punches against the cage, forcing a rapid stoppage and immediately putting the division on notice.

4. Nate Diaz vs Conor McGregor I — The shocking upset

McGregor’s first professional defeat came in stunning fashion when Nate Diaz accepted the fight on short notice and moved up in weight to face “Notorious.”

Diaz weathered McGregor’s early pressure before submitting him with a rear-naked choke in the second round, exposing McGregor’s vulnerabilities and delivering one of the most surprising upsets in UFC history.

3. Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz II — Record-breaking rematch

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Their rematch at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas proved even more dramatic. McGregor adjusted his approach, improved his defense, and engaged in a grueling five-round war.

After a brutal and closely contested fight, McGregor earned a majority decision victory, a bout that generated 2.4 million pay-per-view buys, the highest in UFC history at the time.

2. Conor McGregor vs Eddie Alvarez — UFC 205 Double Champion

At UFC 205, McGregor made history. Already the Featherweight champion, he defeated Lightweight king Eddie Alvarez with a flawless second-round finish.

A precise three-punch combination knocked Alvarez out cold, making McGregor the first fighter in UFC history to hold championships in two weight classes simultaneously — a moment that cemented his legacy.

1. Conor McGregor vs José Aldo — 13-second knockout

The most iconic finish of McGregor’s career came against José Aldo, who entered the fight unbeaten for a decade and widely regarded as unbeatable.

Just 13 seconds after the opening bell, McGregor landed a perfectly timed right hand, knocking Aldo unconscious and capturing the UFC Featherweight Championship in one of the fastest and most shocking title finishes in MMA history.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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