Conor McGregor first became champion OTD | more than ten years ago BJPenn.com

Conor McGregor became widely known in mixed martial arts for his title as a simultaneous two-division UFC titleholder, but the first time he accomplished the feat took place on this day over a decade ago. This took place before the Irishman rose to prominence under the bright lights that shine across the octagon and took place under the Cage Warriors banner.

Before stepping into the cage on December 31, 2012, ‘The Notorious’ had already captured Cage Warriors gold at featherweight and fought for the vacant CW 155-pound belt on New Year’s Eve 13 years ago. The main event clash, headlined by Cage Warriors 51, failed to progress from the opening stanza and ended at the 3:40 mark.

McGregor turned out the lights on Ivan Buchinger with a punch that made the former champion years before he would popularize the phrase as a contracted UFC athlete.

Conor McGregor and his path to UFC champion status

Conor McGregor was set to make his UFC debut in the fight after being a two-fight king in Cage Warriors, and began his path to achieving the same feat in the octagon. After a six-fight win streak, including victories over names like Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier and Chad Mendes, McGregor would ascend to the status of lineal featherweight champion. McGregor ensured this by stopping Jose Aldo just thirteen seconds into their fight at UFC 194.

After a two-fight foray at welterweight, famously splitting a pair of fights against Nate Diaz, McGregor would next get his shot at the UFC lightweight crown. That took place during the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first trip to Madison Square Garden, when McGregor looked to dethrone Eddie Alvarez. In an all-time UFC performance, McGregor showed off his way to stopping Alvarez with punches in the second stanza of their UFC205 title fight to become the new lightweight champion.