I was already exhausted before the main event of UFC 189. The card featured four main card fights that were all barnburners, and there was no reason to believe it wouldn't continue when Chad Mendes and Conor McGregor entered the cage. And as expected, the fight delivered. In fact, it was off the charts. It made UFC 189 the best main card I have ever seen on any MMA event. Ever.

The fight was a good balance of what pundits on both sides were saying - McGregor battered Mendes on the feet. Mendes took McGregor to the mat and battered him there. In fact, I'd say Mendes was on the verge of being up two rounds. Until he wasn't. McGregor got back to his feet with 40 seconds to go in the second round, and his accumulative work to the body started to take effect. He backed Mendes up, clubbed him with some shots, then absolutely crushed him with his best weapon, the straight left. Mendes crumpled to the mat.

At 4:57 of round two, the Conor McGregor era officially began.

I admit that I thought Mendes would win. But I'm not about to take anything away from McGregor. Mendes coming in on short notice was hard on both fighters. Conor took the best Mendes had, and he beat him. The people that don't like him will find excuses, and come up with reasons why Conor was able to find a way to win. The truth is this - Conor McGregor was better than Chad Mendes tonight. That's all there is to say.

Now, with that being said - Jose Aldo is not Chad Mendes.