Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor celebrated the 14th anniversary of his fastest knockout.
Conor McGregor shocked the world when he finished then-UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo in 13 seconds at UFC 194. But years earlier, McGregor earned a knockout win that took a third of the time needed to dethrone the UFC Hall of Famer.
McGregor’s ascent to the top of the UFC featherweight division remains one of the greatest runs in MMA history. In just a handful of fights, McGregor rose from a talented prospect to the face of the UFC, earning wild knockouts and plenty of highlight reel moments.
Before McGregor eventually got the call from the UFC matchmakers, he was fighting for a small paycheck on the Irish regional scene. In Letterkenny in April 2011, McGregor needed one punch to flatten his opponent.
Conor McGregor needed seconds to secure his quickest MMA win
McGregor faced Paddy Doherty at Immortal Fighting Championship 4, just two fights removed from suffering a stunning loss to Joseph Duffy at Cage Warriors 39. Both men were looking to earn the attention of Cage Warriors and other promotions to move up the MMA hierarchy.
Shortly after the opening bell, McGregor pressed forward and countered Doherty’s advance with a left hand that knocked Doherty out cold. It stands today as the fastest finish in McGregor’s career.
14 years later, McGregor took to X to memorialize the win that helped him gain momentum towards a run in the UFC.
“14 years ago today, I scored the fastest professional MMA KO of my career. 3 seconds,” McGregor posted. “Letterkenny, Ireland.”
After one follower asked what was going through McGregor’s mind when the fight began, McGregor didn’t hesitate to respond.
“Get this man out of here, and fast!” McGregor answered.
Almost two years to the day after his four-second finish, McGregor made his UFC debut against Marcus Brimage, knocking Brimage out in the first round.
UFC 314 star continues to try to lure Conor McGregor for Octagon showdown
In 2025, McGregor’s UFC career remains in limbo after a lengthy hiatus from the Octagon. McGregor teased potentially walking away from MMA permanently as he prepares his Irish presidential campaign.
McGregor hasn’t fought since injuring his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. He’s lost three of his last four fights overall and hasn’t won since finishing Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.
In the meantime, McGregor has a potential opponent on the table should he return to the Octagon in 2025 and beyond. UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett called him out after a win at UFC 314 over McGregor’s once-booked rival Michael Chandler.
Pimblett took a veiled shot at McGregor as he hinted at a future career in Hollywood. The jab comes after McGregor picked Chandler to beat Pimblett at UFC 314, losing out on a $500,000 wager.
Pimblett has repeatedly teased a showdown with McGregor in their careers. McGregor was supposed to return to the Octagon last June at UFC 303 against Chandler before withdrawing due to injury.
