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Ever since he made his walkout at UFC on Fuel TV 9 for his debut in 2013 in Sweden, Conor McGregor has transformed MMA. He has defeated some of the biggest stars and broken several records in the process, including becoming the first fighter to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously.
'The Notorious' has become an MMA legend for single-handedly bringing the sport into the mainstream. From becoming the UFC's poster boy to bringing the MMA organization billions in revenue, Conor McGregor is the face of a revolution. He has been the talk of the town for several reasons, good and bad, earning him a massive fan following.
To witness the 'Mystic Mac' enter the UFC octagon and bring his dreams to reality has been a treat for fight fans. As for his walkouts, they carry the thrill that gives his spectators goosebumps. With the most popular face in MMA rambling his way into the octagon wearing the Irish flag and Foggy Dew playing in the background, his entrances are nothing less than historic.
Here, we rank the five best UFC entrances of Conor McGregor:
#5 - Conor McGregor returns at UFC 246 after a two-year break
After losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in October 2018, Conor McGregor took a hiatus from MMA. With one of his biggest rivals in the UFC handing him an overwhelming loss, McGregor went into a deep slumber. For nearly two years, there was no sighting of 'Notorious,' at least in the UFC octagon.
However, like rain in a drought-struck desert, Conor McGregor made his return. The Irishman took on Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 with over 19,000 people in attendance at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. As he entered the venue with the Irish flag on his back and his favorite song telling the Irish tale, the crowd erupted in earth-shattering cheer.
UFC broadcaster Jon Anik narrated one of Conor McGregor's most iconic UFC entrances and said:
"There are two things in all professional sports that are as dramatic, as intense, as special, as a Conor McGregor walk and ensuing mixed martial arts fight."
Also read: 5 surprises we can expect Conor McGregor to spring on Dustin Poirier at UFC 264
#4 - Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz - UFC 196
Having conquered the UFC featherweight title in dominant fashion just four months back, Conor McGregor ventured into the welterweight division. The Irishman faced Nate Diaz in March 2016 at UFC 196, with the rest of the world watching the seemingly unstoppable force in awe.
With the T-Mobile Arena packed on that fine Saturday night and the lights dimmed, fight fans were salivating at the thought of Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz. As the big screen above the UFC octagon lit up with Irish colors, whistles and cheers deafened the atmosphere.
The entrance was first teased with Conor McGregor's signature song, the Foggy Dew. However, as soon as he entered the arena, Nate Diaz and the fans were treated to gangster music, a song called 'El Chapo' (tag given to a famous Mexican kingpin).
'Notorious' air-boxed, bobbed and weaved his way into the stadium, and treated his fans with raised hands. As for the fight fans who chose to boo him, Conor McGregor had his middle-fingers at ready. Joe Rogan welcomed him with heavy praise, saying:
"He is the biggest star in MMA and by a long shot. What he has been able to do in a short period of time has been nothing short of magnificent. The very, very unique human being whose results inside the octagon have been truly spectacular."
Also read: "Slow and weak" - When Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed how fighting Conor McGregor felt.
#3 - Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov - UFC 229
Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 was a blockbuster that was months in the making. There was a backdrop of violent antics, bad blood between the fighters involved, and a far-reaching statement by Khabib that compared the Russian population to the Irish population.
While UFC 229 saw an attendance of 20,034, it broke the record for highest pay-per-views in the organization's history. And rightly so. The UFC set-up two of the biggest stars on their roster against each other, Khabib Nurmagomedov and 'The Notorious' Conor McGregor.
This was also one of Conor McGregor's most iconic walks in the UFC. The octagon was literally filled with "foggy dew" and green lights, and the Irish flag overshadowed even the UFC logo. The Irishman, marching his way into the octagon with his signature calm and confident air, had MMA fans biting their nails.
Upon entering the octagon and right at Joe Rogan's cue, Conor McGregor treated his fans to the famous 'billionaire strut.'
Also watch: Dan Hardy demonstrates Conor McGregor's paths to victory against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
#2 - Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 2 - UFC 257
Conor McGregor made his first appearance of 2021 with a newfound etiquette that gave him the tag "Mr. Nice Guy," along with a new skinny-head look. A year and six days after his previous UFC appearance, Conor entered the octagon in a rematch against Dustin Poirier. This was the Irishman's third lightweight outing in the UFC, which he made after his second-longest hiatus in MMA.
Conor McGregor entered the Etihad Arena on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi with his theme playing in the background. However, the Irishman was different this time, without his half-suicidal smile and mean mug pointing at the camera. This was the Irishman's 10th consecutive appearance in a UFC main event.
Former UFC multi-division champion turned commentator Daniel Cormier recalled Conor McGregor's legacy during the walk-out and said:
"Conor McGregor not only changed the game from financial perspective, he changed it in terms of goals. No one thought about being a double champion before Conor McGregor did it. He showed that whatever you aspire to have could come true. And this young man, for everything he is, is a fantastic mixed martial artist."
#1 - Conor McGregor vs Chad Mendes - UFC 189
Conor McGregor made his sixth UFC appearance against Chad Mendes in 2015. It was the Irishman's last hurdle before getting a featherweight title shot against Jose Aldo. Walking into the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Conor McGregor made one of the most iconic entrances of his MMA career.
All of the Irishman's UFC entrances are marked with Foggy Dew playing in the background. However, UFC 189 saw Sinéad O'Connor herself grace the arena for a live performance.
Conor McGregor entered the arena with his maniacal smirk, very definitive of 'The Notorious.' Carrying the colors of an entire nation on his shoulders, he made one of the most iconic UFC entrances of his career.
Also watch: Javier Mendez posts hilarious video calling Khabib Nurmagomedov a cheater
