Conor McGregor has reminded fans that he was once the most accomplished fighter in mixed martial arts, citing Alex Pereira as an example.
The light heavyweight champion's knockout power, unique personality and willingness to take on last-minute fights have made him a celebrated superstar.
“Poitan” agreed to star in the main event of UFC 303 on 17 days' notice after McGregor pulled out of his return fight against Michael Chandler due to a broken pinky finger.
Pereira was thought to be suffering from a similar injury, but that didn't stop him from scoring a brutal knockout win over Jiri Prochazka on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Amazingly, this was his fourth fight in 336 days. In the past 11 months, the former middleweight champion made his 205-pound debut, won his second belt and defended it twice.
In contrast, McGregor hasn't competed since breaking his leg during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
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“Notorious” was fully healthy for some time before a date was set to face Chandler, but drug testing issues and his decision to make a film caused their bout to be postponed.
McGregor has fought just four times in the eight years since becoming UFC's first two-division champion in 2016, recording just one win against faded veteran Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
However, the Irishman was once just as accomplished as Pereira is today.
In the 336 days between Dec. 12, 2015 and Nov. 12, 2016, McGregor knocked out Jose Aldo, fought Nate Diaz twice and took the lightweight championship from former fighter Eddie Alvarez.
“Notorious” wanted to remind everyone of that moment on Monday.
The 35-year-old posted a picture highlighting his and Pereira's four-match record, captioning it: “The last time I saw such a hungry mind as Alex Pereira [has] It was Conor McGregor. Conor fought four mega fights in 336 days, Alex fought them in 337 days.”
Although some of the fight dates were incorrect and the calculations were a bit off, McGregor found it interesting and shared it on X (formerly Twitter) along with a thinking emoji.
The UFC's greatest legend is hoping to fight Chandler again this summer.
Dana White recently worried fans by claiming that McGregor's return fight will not take place in August, September or October, with plans already set for the next few months.
While MMA fans fear McGregor may never return, he has had an incredibly busy year since his return and looks set to emulate Pereira by promising to have one of the best years in the sport's history.
