Bloody Elbow's striking specialist Connor Ruebusch takes a look at Conor McGregor's flawed but impressive performance against Chad Mendes.
Conor McGregor did it. Many felt that McGregor hadn't really earned a shot at featherweight champion Jose Aldo--not because his wins in the division hadn't been impressive, or dominant, but because in a division full of talented wrestlers, "The Notorious" hadn't faced a single one. That was set to change when Aldo withdrew from the fight with a broken rib, and the UFC replaced him with Chad Mendes, not only one of the best wrestlers in the division, but the number one contender.