Conor McGregor, right, kicks Chad Mendes during their interim featherweight title mixed martial arts bout at UFC 189 Saturday, July 11, 2015, in Las Vegas. AP
Conor McGregor caught Chad Mendes by surprise in the second round to score a TKO victory and become the interim UFC featherweight champion in UFC 189 Sunday (Manila time) in Las Vegas.
Mendes was well in control for majority of the fight, keeping the Irish on the mat after repeated takedowns in the first two rounds. But nearing the end of round 2, McGregor popped back up and unloaded strikes on the American, winning by TKO at 4:57.
McGregor improved his record to 18-2, while Mendes falls to 17-3.
The Notorious was originally slated to fight UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo for the title, but the titlist had to pull out of the event due to a fractured rib and cartilage.