The respect for Chad Mendes in the aftermath of UFC 189 was obvious. After the American stepped in for Jose Aldo back in July, McGregor was given his toughest test to date. He came through it and the emotion on show that night was rather different to what we saw this weekend.
There was a massive amount of relief in there. He had overcome the wrestler and everything else was a formality. That was the narrative heading in to UFC 194 and while we hoped, it's difficult to say we believed. Mendes' style may have been an obstacle but as Aldo and Edgar showed, he was very much beatable.
And so it proved. It was a bit of a war but eventually, McGregor's power and striking wee too much for Mendes to deal with. It was time for Aldo and the war of words to kick off again but not before Mendes was given his due credit.
I respect any man that steps inside there.
For all his bravado, McGregor has always been up front with the belief that anyone who steps into the Octagon deserves respect when it all comes to an end. It was like that with Mendes and it was like that with Aldo this weekend. It may have been an annihilation but the respect from the McGregor and John Kavanagh in the aftermath of the fight has been obvious.
Even before the fight, when it became clear that UFC 194 was going ahead with Aldo, there were hints of the respect to follow. But while the respect may be important, that doesn't mean McGregor will be entirely averse to revelling in his victory.
You have to think the undisputed featherweight champ has seen this photo today and is absolutely loving it. Referee Mark Goddard shared the snap of a dejected Jose Aldo embracing Chad Mendes and it really does sum up what McGregor has managed to do over the past couple of years.
See also: Producer's Audio Reveals Joe Rogan's Spot On Observation During Fighter Intros
Everything that quells the heartache of this sport. Tearful. Mendes embraces Aldo after last nights fight. #know pic.twitter.com/58IBrynlPV
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) December 13, 2015
Two of the best featherweights in UFC history effectively thrown aside by the whirlwind that is McGregor's rise to the top. The respect for what they have done to this point is undoubtedly there from fans and fighters alike but even then, there has to be an awful lot of pleasure to be taken from that picture for anyone who wants to see the McGregor bandwagon keep rolling for as long as possible.
