The Notorious was in attendance to see his pal claim an epic win and couldn't help but join in the post-bout celebrations
Conor McGregor was the centre of attention at UFC Fight Night 99 in Belfast, when he invaded the octagon tocongratulate his pal, Artem Lobov on an epic win over Teruto Ishihara.
The two-belt champion sent the crowd wild when he arrived at the SSE Arena earlier in the evening and couldn't help himself after seeing his friend claim a hard-fought victory.
The main card began with Lobov squaring up against flamboyant Japanese fighter Ishihara and it was the Russian who started quicker, landing a few big right hands on Ishihara who was doing his best to stay elusive on the outside.
The atmosphere in the arena was electric between rounds one and two as the crowd rose to the tune of “stand up for the boys in green” as the fighters took their respite. Round two opened in similar style to the last with Lobov landing his right seemingly every time he threw it. Lobov continued to score with big winging hooks repeatedly, but the Japanese man just ate them in zombie-like fashion.
WHAT A MOMENT! WHAT A NOISE! @TheNotoriousMMAand @RusHammerMMAtake over the @SSEBelfastArena. #UFCBelfast https://t.co /bRRwQ3ckE6— BT Sport UFC (@btsportufc) November 19, 2016
Round two ended with a big flurry from Lobov and the crowd going crazy, but there was still another five minutes left the Irishman had already thrown a significant amount of volume.
Those thinking Lobov would take his foot off the gas ended up being sorely mistaken. The Russian-born Irishman continued to pour forward and Ishihara continued to eat strikes.Teammate @TheNotoriousMMAsupporting @RusHammerMMAat #UFCBelfast. pic.twitter.com/PLX MPRGMKb— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 19, 2016
Just when the fight looked in the bag, Lobov was dropped by a massive left hook. The referee nearly dove in to call the fight, but Lobov somehow managed to catch him in his guard. After managing to stall his man for a minute both fighters were back on their feet and both looked exhausted.
Despite his fatigue and earlier brain scrambling, Lobov pushed his man up against the fence and landed a huge slam before laying on some big ground and pound until the final klaxon sounded.What. A. Fight! What. A. Slam! @RusHammerMMAand @teruto_kogo the distance in an all-out war! #UFCBelfast https://t.co /KRFx1e9m3R— BT Sport UFC (@btsportufc) November 19, 2016
At the end of the fight, Conor McGregor scaled the octagon and proceeded to celebrate with his friend as the fans went wild.
This came just a week after the Notorious' history- making win over Eddie Alvarez at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The victory saw McGregor become the first fighter to hold two UFC belts simultaneously, at featherweight and lightweight.
Later, McGregor is expected to head over to the El Divino nightclub for a special meet and greet with more supporters.
Earlier, his coach, John Kavanagh had mingled with supporters at a special book signing in the city. And many of those who stopped by for autographs and selfies then made their way to the SSE Arena for the Fight Night.
UFC president Dana White said he was delighted to have the franchise back in Northern Ireland.
He said: "It's been a long time - too long - since our last event here in 2007, and so much has changed in the world of mixed martial arts.
"But just because things have changed doesn't mean that's a bad thing. The sport has taken off internationally, the talent level has risen, and we're able to bring this sport to more and more people every year."
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| McGregor was in the thick of things in Belfast |
Conor McGregor was the centre of attention at UFC Fight Night 99 in Belfast, when he invaded the octagon tocongratulate his pal, Artem Lobov on an epic win over Teruto Ishihara.
The two-belt champion sent the crowd wild when he arrived at the SSE Arena earlier in the evening and couldn't help himself after seeing his friend claim a hard-fought victory.
The main card began with Lobov squaring up against flamboyant Japanese fighter Ishihara and it was the Russian who started quicker, landing a few big right hands on Ishihara who was doing his best to stay elusive on the outside.
The atmosphere in the arena was electric between rounds one and two as the crowd rose to the tune of “stand up for the boys in green” as the fighters took their respite. Round two opened in similar style to the last with Lobov landing his right seemingly every time he threw it. Lobov continued to score with big winging hooks repeatedly, but the Japanese man just ate them in zombie-like fashion.
WHAT A MOMENT! WHAT A NOISE! @TheNotoriousMMAand @RusHammerMMAtake over the @SSEBelfastArena. #UFCBelfast https://t.co /bRRwQ3ckE6— BT Sport UFC (@btsportufc) November 19, 2016
Round two ended with a big flurry from Lobov and the crowd going crazy, but there was still another five minutes left the Irishman had already thrown a significant amount of volume.
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Here he comes... (Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Getty) |
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McGregor gives his pal Lobov a hug(Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Getty) |
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| The pair were celebrating Lobov's win in Belfast(Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Getty) |
Those thinking Lobov would take his foot off the gas ended up being sorely mistaken. The Russian-born Irishman continued to pour forward and Ishihara continued to eat strikes.Teammate @TheNotoriousMMAsupporting @RusHammerMMAat #UFCBelfast. pic.twitter.com/PLX MPRGMKb— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 19, 2016
Just when the fight looked in the bag, Lobov was dropped by a massive left hook. The referee nearly dove in to call the fight, but Lobov somehow managed to catch him in his guard. After managing to stall his man for a minute both fighters were back on their feet and both looked exhausted.
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| The event in Belfast came a week after McGregor won in New York(Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Getty) |
Despite his fatigue and earlier brain scrambling, Lobov pushed his man up against the fence and landed a huge slam before laying on some big ground and pound until the final klaxon sounded.What. A. Fight! What. A. Slam! @RusHammerMMAand @teruto_kogo the distance in an all-out war! #UFCBelfast https://t.co /KRFx1e9m3R— BT Sport UFC (@btsportufc) November 19, 2016
At the end of the fight, Conor McGregor scaled the octagon and proceeded to celebrate with his friend as the fans went wild.
This came just a week after the Notorious' history- making win over Eddie Alvarez at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The victory saw McGregor become the first fighter to hold two UFC belts simultaneously, at featherweight and lightweight.
Later, McGregor is expected to head over to the El Divino nightclub for a special meet and greet with more supporters.
Earlier, his coach, John Kavanagh had mingled with supporters at a special book signing in the city. And many of those who stopped by for autographs and selfies then made their way to the SSE Arena for the Fight Night.
UFC president Dana White said he was delighted to have the franchise back in Northern Ireland.
He said: "It's been a long time - too long - since our last event here in 2007, and so much has changed in the world of mixed martial arts.
"But just because things have changed doesn't mean that's a bad thing. The sport has taken off internationally, the talent level has risen, and we're able to bring this sport to more and more people every year."
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