McGregor vs Topuria: Notorious’ Past UFC Featherweight Title Fights As New Champ Issues Challenge

• Ilia Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to become the new UFC Featherweight champion
• He issued a challenge to UFC legend Conor McGregor after his upset victory at UFC 298
• McGregor experienced three title fights in the UFC Featherweight Division during his MMA career

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McGregor vs. Mendes (UFC 189)

McGregor was set to lock horns with Jose Aldo at UFC 189 for the featherweight championship.

The fight didn't push through, though, as the Brazilian suffered a rib injury weeks before the fight and had to pull out.

Chad Mendes stepped in on short notice to replace Aldo and face McGregor, with their interim title fight taking place in July 2015, per Bleacher Report.

Mendes started out strongly in their showdown, taking down the Irishman several times and inflicting heavy damage in the first round.

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Mendes looked gassed, though, following that initial flurry, with McGregor taking full advantage in the second round. He dropped "Money" with a vicious left-hand shot and finished him shortly thereafter with some follow-up shots to the head and body.

McGregor vs. Aldo (UFC 194)

McGregor finally faced Aldo at UFC 194 for the undisputed featherweight title. Aldo hadn't lost an MMA fight in nearly a decade, but still entered his showdown with McGregor as a slight underdog.

"The Notorious" proved the oddsmakers right, knocking out Aldo in just 13 seconds to become the UFC Featherweight champion.

He landed a solid left hand on the long-time champion to record the fastest-ever knockout in a UFC title fight, per the BBC.

Fans react to Volkanovski's UFC 298 loss

Sports Brief recently reported on fans' reactions to Alexander Volkanovski's loss to Topuria.

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Fans said that the Australian's knockout loss signalled the end of an era.

Great champions have lost their titles recently, including Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman.