Thousands of Irish fans are in Las Vegas this weekend to watch Conor McGregor as he bids to become the UFC interim Featherweight champion.
The Dubliner was meant to fight Jose Aldo for the title but a rib injury to the Brazilian meant a change of opponent.
Step up Chad Mendes and the American certainly brings something different to the octagon.
It’s not the first time the Dubliner has had a change of opponent but so far it hasn’t been an issue for the 26 year old after wins over Max Holloway and Diego Brandao who stepped in for Andy Ogle and Cole Miller respectively.
A win on Saturday could actually do more for McGregor with plenty of doubters believing he won’t be able to deal with a top wrestler.
Since he dismantled Marcus Brimage in 67 seconds in Sweden just over two years ago, McGregor has taken care of Holloway, Brandao, Dustin Poirer and Denis Siver.
The only fight out of the five to go the distance was the one with Holloway but McGregor tore his ACL during the bout which ruled him out for almost a year.
All the other wins have come via TKO and McGregor has received performance bonuses for all four of the victories.
McGregor is one of the most recognised sports stars in Ireland if not the most and he's set to earn in the region of $4 million for his latest fight.
A lot of money was pumped into promoting McGregor and Aldo and even though Mendes is a replacement it hasn’t put the fans off. UFC President Dana White says Saturday’s event at the MGM Grand will be the highest grossing in UFC history on American soil.
So who is Chad Mendes?
The man known as “ Money “ Mendes hails from California and is a former All American wrestler who has only lost twice in his career.
Both those defeats came at the hands of Jose Aldo, McGregor's original opponent for the main event at UFC 189.
The first defeat to Aldo came in January 2012 and it was over in the first round but Mendes was much improved when they met again in October 2014.
Although Aldo won by unanimous decision after five rounds, Mendes knocked Aldo down which showed how much his striking has improved over the last few years.
Mendes is known for his wrestling but he’s also become a dangerous striker too making him a formidable opponent for " The Notorious ".
Love him or hate him, McGregor knows how to sell a fight and so far he’s backed up the talk with some ruthless knockout wins in the UFC.
Sure there are questions to be answered about his ability to deal with a top class wrestler but the word from his camp is he's well able to wrestle and it's more a case of him not having to do it so far.
McGregor doesn’t strike me as someone who cuts corners so I expect him to be ready for anything Mendes throws at him.
The Dubliner has a three inch height advantage so he’ll have a reach advantage and Mendes will have to try and close the gap or get the fight to the ground.
However that won’t be as easy as it sounds because if he leaves himself exposed to a straight left hand from McGregor it could be lights out for the American.
There’s no doubt McGregor hits hard with that southpaw stance and he also has an ability to find different angles to land strikes with his hands and feet.
Mendes who has taken the fight at three weeks notice, is dangerous with counter punches which he proved against Aldo last year but McGregor doesn’t mind taking a few punches and tends to walk through them.
I’d be shocked if this fight goes five rounds given the punching power on display and that’s probably why I’m leaning towards the Irishman given the weight of his punches.
EA Sports have put together a simulation of the fight and they have McGregor winning:
The fight is due to start at 5am irish time on Sunday morning but you won't want to miss the build up.
Sinead O'Connor will be singing live as Conor McGregor makes his way to the octagon and before the main event Cathal Pendred and Neil Seery are both in action.
Pendred is looking to make it five wins from five in the UFC Welterweight division when he goes up against American John Howard.
Seery is also taking on an American opponent - he squares off against Louis Smolka.
Adopted Irishman Gunnar Nelson who trains at SBG with McGregor and Pendred returns to the octagon and will face Brandon Thatch.
Before the main event there is the small matter of a Welterweight title fight between reigning champion Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald.
It's a quality fight card made all the more remarkable that the headline act is Ireland's own Conor McGregor.
