"UFC 322 at New York's Madison Square Garden on Saturday features two former champions who've turned in their titles to chase new ones. It's the third such scenario this year, ushering in what feels like the post-double champion era. To understand how the UFC got here, Jeff Wagenheim looks back at the first double champion, and Dre Waters gives a statistical breakdown of two UFC 322 title fights and the trends to keep in mind heading into the weekend."
"Conor McGregor had just made history, winning a UFC championship with a spectacular second-round knockout on the most hallowed of combat sports stages. But as he stood under the bright lights at Madison Square Garden on a November night exactly nine years ago, waiting for the "And new ...!" announcement, McGregor did not look joyful or even satisfied. His angry eyes were darting in every direction, frantically searching for something."
""Where the f--- is my second belt? I've already got this one," McGregor yelled as his hand was being raised and a shiny title belt was wrapped around his waist. In that crowning moment, McGregor was utilizing his vaunted timing and precision to home in on what elevated this UFC 205 victory to the sports achievement stratosphere. He had walked into the fight as the featherweight champion, and after quickly and violently dethroning Eddie Alvarez, the Irishman left the cage reigning at lightweight as well."
UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden features two former champions who surrendered titles to pursue new championships, marking the third such scenario this year. The pattern suggests a shift away from simultaneous two-division reigns toward a post-double-champion era. Conor McGregor became the first fighter to hold two UFC belts at once after defeating Eddie Alvarez, winning lightweight while already featherweight champion. After that victory McGregor demanded a second belt, creating an iconic image at Madison Square Garden. Statistical breakdowns of the two UFC 322 title fights identify trends and contextualize how recent title movements shape championship trajectories.
Read at ESPN.com
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