The dust is settling.
It seems like a long time ago since Conor McGregor took to the octagon to take on Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC lightweight title, despite the fact it was only earlier this month.
So much happened in the build up and especially in the immediate aftermath when it descended into all out chaos following the conclusion of the fight.
McGregor was submitted in round four of the fight and made an assessment of the fight in a lengthy post on social media.
When McGregor tapped out in the fourth round, the three judges each had Khabib leading 29-27.
Below is McGregor’s assessment of the fight and how each round went in his mind.
Thoughts on my last fight.
Round 1. I believe from a sport standpoint, round 1 was his. Top position against the fence. Zero position advancement or damage inflicted. But top position.
From a fight standpoint the first round is mine.
Actual shots landed and a willingness to engage. Straight left early. Knee to the head on the low shot. Elbows in any and all tie up scenarios. Opponent just holding the legs against the fence for almost the entire round.
Round 2 he is running away around the cage before being blessed with a right hand that changed the course of the round, and the fight.
It was a nice shot.
After the shot I bounced back up to engage instantly, but again he dipped under to disengage. That is the sport and it was a smart move that led to a dominant round, so no issue. Well played.
If I stay switched on and give his stand up even a little more respect, that right hand never gets close and we are talking completely different now.
I gave his upright fighting no respect in preparation. No specific stand up spars whatsoever.
Attacking grapplers/wrestlers only.
That won’t happen again.
I also gave my attacking grappling no respect. To defense minded.
Lessons.
Listen to nobody but yourself on your skill set.
You are the master of your own universe.
I am the master of this.
I must take my own advice.
Round 3. After the worst round of my fighting career, I come back and win this round. Again walking forward, walking him down, and willing to engage.
Round 4. My recovery was not where it could have been here.
That is my fault.
Although winning the early exchanges in 4, he dips under again and I end up in a bad position with over 3 on the clock. I work to regain position and end up upright, with my back to the fence.
A stable position.
Here however, I made a critical error of abandoning my over hook at this crucial time, exposing the back, and I end up beaten fair and square.
What can I say?
It was a great fight and it was my pleasure.
I will be back with my confidence high.
Fully prepared.
If it is not the rematch right away, no problem.
I will face the next in line.
It’s all me always, anyway.
See you soon my fighting fans I love you all
So what’s next for McGregor?
His statement comes after UFC boss Dana White spoke to ESPN to say he’d prefer Khabib fight next-in-line Tony Ferguson rather than organise the McGregor rematch.
“I haven’t even thought about a [McGregor] rematch,” White said.
“Obviously, I know Conor wants a rematch. We need to do what’s right and what’s fair.
“As a fight fan, you’ve got to go with Tony. Tony had the belt, tweaked his knee, got stripped, this fight happens.
“Tony never lost the [interim] belt in a fight. Neither did Conor, but Conor got the opportunity to actually fight [Nurmagomedov]. I think Tony deserves the next shot.”
But for us, if the UFC thinks they’ll make money out a rematch, then Tony Ferguson is going to be pushed to the back of the line and front and centre with be McGregor/Khabib 2.
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