McGregor enjoys successful Stateside debut in UFC

Dubliner Conor McGregor dominated from start to finish as he scored a unanimous decision over Max Holloway at the UFC Fight Night 26 Prelims in Boston overnight.

McGregor did not disappoint the vocal flag-waving Irish Americans and ex-pats in the TD Garden crowd, controlling the 15-minute bout both physically and tactically for a 30-27, 30-27, 30-26 verdict from the judges.

Only the second Irishman to fight on a UFC bill, there was huge interest and hype surrounding McGregor - especially after his eye-catching first round TKO of Marcus Brimage during his April UFC debut in Sweden.

The fans who gave McGregor a memorably lusty welcome to the Boston venue were keen for a similar result, but a knee injury prevented the 25-year-old from forcing a bloodied Holloway into a stoppage.

McGregor revealed after the fight that he had felt his knee 'pop out' during an exchange in the second round and had to change his tactics, bringing his Hawaiian opponent to the ground for much of the remainder of the bout.

Speaking to Fox Sports 1, he said: "I wanted to keep him standing and put him away. But in the second round I caught a kick, tried to advance it past his half-guard...he caught my leg in an awkward position and bridge and rolled, and my whole knee just popped out midway through that second round.

"When we stood back up, I was just wobbly on it. That's why in the third (round) I had to change it up and look for the take-down. I'm not happy I didn't get the finish.

"I knew Max was a tough competitor and I knew he was going to give me some great exchanges and he did. But midway through the second I got that injury. You must improvise, adapt and overcome because anything can happen inside this octagon."

Commenting on the support he received from the crowd, who broke into a couple of chants of 'Ole, Ole, Ole!', a smiling McGregor admitted: "It's crazy. I'm lost for words. This support is unreal, thank you everyone so much."

Despite his inexperience at this level, the popular featherweight was afforded the lights-out treatment for his ring entrance as he came in to the strains of Dropkick Murphys' 'I'm Shipping Up To Boston'.

Looking relaxed but supremely alert, McGregor used some well-judged kicks to break down Holloway's defence early on, with the 21-year-old having to cope with the Irishman's unorthodox style and the precision of his left leg.

McGregor put down a marker with some skillful and unpredictable kicking in the first round, allied to his two-punch combinations, and an initial uppercut in the second round forced Holloway onto the defensive again.

However, the lanky fighter, with a 3-2 UFC record beforehand, started to land some blows of his own and his resilient defence - particularly whilst the pair were on the ground for the final two minutes of the second round - prevented McGregor from getting clear shots.

The injured knee meant McGregor had to adjust his game-plan and most of the final round was slugged out on the mat with Holloway on his back.

McGregor worked for a full mount, getting it on a second occasion and landing a couple of blows to the head that increased the damage to Holloway's already cut face.

As Holloway managed to stand up again, the Crumlin native caught him with a knee but Holloway returned the favour entering the final minute with a swift head kick that had the two-time Cage Warriors champion slightly off balance.

Still, McGregor was an undeniably clear-cut winner of his first MMA fight to go the distance. He now boasts a ten-fight winning streak (14-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) but both he and his coach John Kavanagh know he has plenty to work on if he is to make further inroads at this level.