Conor McGregor: ‘It’s a crazy game and I absolutely love it’

In keeping with a night when no record seemed safe, the merchandise stands of the MGM Grand were having a frantic time of it. Anything that was green equalled gold for the vendors.

One of the hottest sellers was a squared-off Ireland flag emblazoned with one of Conor McGregor’s most repeated offerings. “We’re not here to take part,” it says. “We’re here to take over.”

On Saturday night at the Grand Garden Arena that most hostile of takeovers was completed. McGregor collected what he came for — a featherweight championship belt, albeit one of the interim variety — after knocking out Chad Mendes with a left hand punch that connected as the clock rapidly ticked towards the end of the second round.