![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/mcgregor-1.png\")
Conor McGregor made an emphatic statement on his UFC return as he needed just 40 seconds to overpower veteran American Donald Cerrone at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.<\/p>\nConor McGregor made an emphatic statement on his UFC return as he needed just 40 seconds to overpower veteran American Donald Cerrone at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
The Irishman had been out of action for 15 months but exploded into life from the first bell of the welterweight bout at UFC 246, charging at his opponent before bloodying his nose with several unorthodox shoulder strikes in the clinch.<\/p>\n
McGregor then stepped back and a precision head kick high over the guard landed square on the jaw of Cerrone, who was also caught by a flying knee and crumpled to the mat as the Dubliner went for an early finish.<\/p>\n
Cerrone was covered up as the rights and lefts rained down on him, prompting referee Herb Dean to call a halt to a brief one-sided contest within the first minute of the opening round.<\/p>\n
\u201cI made history here, I set another record: I\u2019m the first fighter in UFC history to secure knockout victories at featherweight, at lightweight and now at welterweight, so I\u2019m very, very proud of that,\u201d McGregor said in the octagon.<\/p>\n
\u201cDonald holds the record for most head-kick knockouts, I\u2019m so happy to get him down with a head kick myself. I\u2019m very, very happy, very proud.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho\u2019s going up and down divisions and stopping people like that?<\/p>\n
\u201cThe UFC can strip fighters and gift other fighters make-believe belts in order to replicate my champ-champ status, but they can\u2019t give knockout victories across multiple weight divisions. Etch my name in history one more time.\u201d<\/p>\n