Sherdog’s Top 10: European Mixed Martial Artists

5. Conor McGregor

The Irishman has become the talk of the MMA world and the most sought-after fighter in combat sports. McGregor has mainstream media outlets eating out of the palm of his hand, with his unmatched trash talk and light-up-the-room charisma; and he has backed it all up with stellar performances in the cage.

McGregor oozes confidence, but one cannot become a superstar on the strength of bravado alone. He was a two-division Cage Warriors Fighting Championship titleholder before he arrived on the scene in the UFC a little more than three years ago. Behind a crushing left hand, McGregor won his first six fights inside the Octagon to cement his place as the No. 1 contender at 145 pounds.

“Mystic Mac” captured the featherweight crown at UFC 194 on Dec. 12, when he knocked out Jose Aldo in just 13 seconds. He was booked to face Rafael dos Anjos for the lightweight title at UFC 196 before an injury forced the champion from the bout. McGregor instead faced Nate Diaz at 170 pounds and submitted to a second-round rear-naked choke, touching off one of the sport’s great rivalries. He avenged the loss in the UFC 202 main event in August, taking a majority decision from Diaz in one of the year’s best fights.

Continue Reading » Number 4