It will be a birthday the Conor McGregor won't forget anytime soon. The Dubliner, who turns 28 today, beat some of boxing's top names to win the ESPY Award for Best Fighter at a ceremony in the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles last night.
The award stays in MMA for another year after Ronda Rousey picked up the same honour last year. McGregor bested some stiff competition from fellow UFC champion Robbie Lawler and boxers Gennady Golovkin, Canelo Alvarez and Roman Gonzalez.
Congratulations to @TheNotoriousMMA & @HollyHolm on ESPY award for Best Fighter and Best Upset! #ESPYShttps://t.co/2BKLFPA3I9
— UFC News (@UFCNews) July 14, 2016
The Dubliner was also nominated for 'Best Breakthrough Athlete' but lost out to Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta, while former UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm won the 'Best Upset' award for her headkick knockout of Ronda Rousey last November.
For McGregor though, this was acknowledgement for his breakout year in 2015 which saw him win three consecutive bouts and etch his name on the UFC featherweight title in the process.
McGregor's birthday celebrations will have to be kept to a minimum as he is currently in Las Vegas preparing for the hugely anticipated rematch with Nate Diaz which is just over one month away, though his coach John Kavanagh did arrange for a special birthday surprise -- the return of the two Cage Warriors titles which McGregor never lost in the ring.
