McGregor’s interim title win at UFC 189
Conor McGregor secured the interim featherweight belt by stopping Chad Mendes at 4:57 of the second round in Las Vegas. This 2015 event marked a pivotal moment in the UFC's transition from traditional pay-per-view to the modern digital streaming era.
McGregor dominates Mendes in Las Vegas
Conor McGregor won the interim featherweight belt by stopping Chad Mendes at 4:57 of the second round at UFC 189. The event took place on July 11, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. McGregor entered the cage with a 17-2 record, while Mendes entered with a 17-2 record. Mendes took McGregor down multiple times during the fight and landed short elbows, but McGregor finished the bout with his left hand. I find the technicality of the victory impressive because McGregor ignored the wrestling pressure to find a knockout.
The fight card changed because Jose Aldo withdrew after suffering a bone bruise to his rib and a cartilage injury during training. UFC president Dana White stated that Aldo’s rib was too painful to compete, so the UFC moved Mendes into the main event. McGregor earned a $50,000 "Performance of the Night" bonus for the stoppage. Mendes, a Team Alpha Male product, had lost twice in his career, both times to Aldo.
| Fighter | Record Entering UFC 189 | Result | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conor McGregor | 17-2 | TKO (punches) | $50,000 |
| Chad Mendes | 17-2 | Loss | N/A |
| Thomas Almeida | 19-0 | KO (flying knee) | $50,000 |
| Robbie Lawler | 25-10 | TKO (punches) | Fight of the Night |
The main card also saw Robbie Lawler retain his welterweight title against Rory MacDonald. Lawler stopped MacDonald in the fifth round after MacDonald suffered a broken nose. This result secured the "Fight of the Night" bonus for Lawler and MacDonald. Thomas Almeida also secured a $50,000 bonus by stopping Brad Pickett with a flying knee in the second round. Did the UFC plan for this specific level of violence?
The shift in UFC broadcasting
The UFC transitioned through several broadcast eras before reaching its current status. At the time of UFC 189, the main card aired on pay-per-view while the preliminary bouts appeared on Fox Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass. This differs from the current landscape where the organization’s numbered events air on Paramount+. You should remember that the UFC previously held deals with networks like Spike and FX.
The organization later moved toward a partnership with ESPN, which includes the rights to distribute pay-per-view events. Under that arrangement, fans must be ESPN+ subscribers to access the fights. The following table details the differences in how fans accessed content during the 2015 era compared to the 2024 era.
| Era | Main Card Access | Preliminary Access |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Pay-per-view | Fox Sports 1 / Fight Pass |
| 2024 | ESPN+ | ESPN |
The ESPN deal changed how the company manages volatility in the pay-per-view marketplace. When stars like McGregor fight, the numbers increase, such as the 2.5 million buys for UFC 229. However, when stars are inactive, the UFC avoids financial losses through guaranteed rights fees. The 2015 era relied on cable and satellite providers for purchasing, whereas the modern era relies on digital streaming.
Global expansion and modern viewing
The UFC continues to expand its footprint into new territories. This expansion includes recent activity in locations like Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. In 2026, the organization hosted a Fight Night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. These international shows happen alongside the traditional numbered events.
The viewing experience remains tied to digital platforms. The UFC uses Paramount+ for its numbered events and various networks for Fight Night. In 2025, the organization launched UFC BJJ, which features submission grappling matches inside an octagonal "bowl" rather than a standard cage. McGregor’s win in 2015 remains a distinct moment in the history of the featherweight division.
