Conor McGregor's reaction to beating Marcus Brimage was a memorable one. His '60 Gs bbbaaabbbaaayyyyy' line is still one of the Dubliner's most quoted.
It was a message to Dana White - the Knockout of the Night bonus is mine.
That TKO victory against Brimage took place five-and-a-half years ago at Stockholm's Ericsson Globe Arena.
McGregor was far from the main event that night. Smack bang in the middle of the prelim card was his station but everyone took notice though when it took him just 67 seconds to finish Brimage.
In the post-fight press conference, as has happened since, McGregor was the star.
On the dole just days previously, he was now up $60,000 and told the social welfare office back in Dublin where to go.
Reaction to McGregor's victory from the MMA world was positive, though not quite that he was the second coming.
Coverage of the fight was not at the same level as it has been for his more recent bouts. Though he had been a star in Cage Warriors where he was as two-weight champion, he was relatively unknown to the wider public, even in Ireland.
UFC president Dana White said that he was 'blown away' by McGregor's performance and called him a 'beast'.
White also readily admitted that the Dubliner would be on the UFC on Fox card in Boston later that year where he would face Max Holloway.
I'm blown away. First of all, it's his first fight ever in the UFC, he walks out tonight and got in the Octagon like it was his hundredth fight in the UFC. From the minute the bell started, he was nice and relaxed and moved around, and even after he gets the knockout, it's like he's been here before and done it 100 times. Kid was totally relaxed, he's a beast, I'm impressed.
Website Low Kick MMA labelled McGregor's debut as one of the top ten most impressive seen in the UFC. It was also stated, prophetically, that McGregor would 'shake up' the 145 division.
There’s a handful more debuts that could be labeled more epic, more high-profile, probably even more surprising that McGregor’s debut. But the kid’s story is just so inspirational, as he stated that he has now gone from welfare to collecting a $60K check for Knockout of the Night.
So I’d say it’s definitely a top ten debut, maybe even hovering around 6-7. The combo he unleashed upon Brimage was so clean, so accurate that I can’t help but think McGregor’s going to be a force and truly shake up an already hot division at Featherweight.
Scott Harris for Bleacher Report declared McGregor's debut to be the start of 'something big'.
The Cage Warriors two-division champ is probably already the best Irish cage fighter ever.
Of course, if you want to get factual about it, Tom Egan is the only other Irishman to fight in the UFC, and he went 0-1. Maybe that's why there was uncertainty over whether that green wave of hype Conor McGregor rode into his Octagon debut was justified.
After McGregor's first-round TKO of a fired-up Marcus Brimage evened Ireland's all-time UFC record, there should be no more uncertainty. That green wave is probably set to swell to a tsunami. We could look back at this humble card and remember it as the start of something big.
On Twitter, numerous prominent members of the MMA world were hugely impressed with McGregor's debut.
McGregor wins via first round TKO! Tremendous performance, patience. Impressive. #PeoplesMainEvent
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 6, 2013
So i guess @TheNotoriousmma is for real!! pic.twitter.com/dSwsouOeyj
— danawhite (@danawhite) April 6, 2013
@jamesthebricky @TheNotoriousMMA @danawhite I just watched it! He's fantastic. Can't wait to see that guy again.
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) April 6, 2013
Future star! Love his style. Been a fan for a little while “@JamesJacksonJnr: @kennyflorian kenny. what did you think of mcgregor?”
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) April 7, 2013
I'm a fan. McGregor is a hoss.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) April 6, 2013
Well that went well :-)
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) April 6, 2013
That was serious poise by McGregor.
— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) April 6, 2013
McGregor might have just expedited the UFC's return to Ireland.
— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) April 6, 2013
MMA in the Sport section. @TheNotoriousMMA is changing the game in Ireland @ufc - get out and buy today's Mirror pic.twitter.com/UoQn8vNR3Q
— Peter Carroll (@PetesyCarroll) April 6, 2013
Tonight I saw an Irishman fight in the UFC. It was an honor and a privilege to see him win tonight. @TheNotoriousMMA
— Andrew McGahon (@andrewmcgahon_) April 6, 2013
Watch out Jose aldo. Conor is coming for you!!! @arielhelwani
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) April 6, 2013
