For Conor McGregor, visualization pays off in a big way — Sports digest

“I said his right hand would get him into trouble”, McGregor explained.

It was fast and convincing, a staggering ending to dominant champion-Aldo, a 29-year-old jiu-jitsu specialist, had been considered the UFC’s top pound-for-pound fighter. McGregor, like Rousey for a few minutes, is the face of the division, and might the biggest name in the UFC right now, or at least we’ll find out when the PPV numbers come in. “I see these shots, I see these sequences and I believe in them”, McGregor told reporters after the fight.

Congratulations to the staff at the UFC on a historic week in the sports history and an fantastic 2015 for the company. I had a little moment where I felt sorry for Jose. “If I go up to the lightweight division, there’s no way in hell I’m vacating my belt”, McGregor said.

From the sound of things, McGregor is more than willing to do it, but he’s going to enjoy his Christmas first, cash the massive payday he will have coming from this event and then make a decision on where his future lies. “I feel he could take a step back, re-center himself”, McGregor said. I say what I do now.

For the UFC, McGregor is manna from heaven at a time when Rousey is licking her wounds after losing her bantamweight title and former light-heavyweight champion Jon (Bones) Jones is on the comeback trail after being derailed by legal issues. “The [lightweight] division needs me”.

The crowd roared as McGregor – clad in green compression shorts – entered first, with “Ole Ole” chants from the stands competing with his Notorious B.I.G. entrance music. Aldo was the pound-for-pound number one fighter at the time, and has a long successful legacy to warrant a rematch. “He got me with a good shot and was able to finish the fight”.

UFC president Dana White is plotting another big fight for Conor McGregor, but it will not be a rematch against Jose Aldo.

This was a fight that no one thought will be going this way.

The lightweight belt is now held by Rafael Dos Anjos, who is set to make a title defense next week against Donald Cerrone. But, since McGregor has become a megastar, and is making serious bank for the UFC, don’t be surprised if he gets the greenlight to do this.

“I am ready for everybody”, said Romero.

Fortunately for Aldo (UFC 7-1), referee John McCarthy was on hand to call an end to the bout and prevent further damage as McGregor wheeled away to celebrate his triumph from atop the octagon with his legion of adoring support.