The UFC begins its 2020 schedule with a massive event, as UFC 246 takes place Saturday with a highly anticipated headliner between Conor McGregor and Donald Cerrone.
McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) vs. Cerrone (36-13 MMA, 23-10 UFC) headlines the ESPN+ pay-per-view card from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and both men bring one-of-a-kind resumes into the welterweight showdown.
Over the course of their octagon tenures, “The Notorious” and “Cowboy” have made a permanent mark on the UFC record books. With that in mind, it’s time to go behind the numbers of the UFC 246 main event.
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Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor at UFC 229. (USA TODAY Sports)
McGregor returns to the welterweight division for the first time since August 2016. He went 1-1 during his first stint in the weight class.
McGregor became the first of two simultaneous two-division champions in UFC history when he defeated Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205. Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Henry Cejudo also accomplished the feat.
McGregor is one of seven fighters in UFC history to win titles in two weight classes. Cormier, Nunes, Cejudo, Georges St-Pierre, Randy Couture, and B.J. Penn also accomplished the feat.
McGregor is one of nine fighters in UFC history to earn victories in three weight classes.
McGregor has earned 18 of his 21 career victories by knockout. That includes seven of his nine UFC wins.
McGregor is one of five fighters in UFC history to earn three knockdowns in a single fight on two separate occasions. Cerrone, Israel Adesanya, Anderson Silva and John Lineker also accomplished the feat.
McGregor is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn three knockdowns in a single fight in two separate weight classes. Silva also accomplished the feat.
McGregor’s 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo at UFC 194 marked the fastest title-fight stoppage in UFC history.
McGregor is the only fighter in UFC history to receive fight-night bonuses in eight consecutive bouts. No one else has been awarded a bonus in more than six straight fights.
Donald Cerrone
Donald Cerrone at UFC 238. (USA TODAY Sports)
Cerrone has fought on Spike, Versus, FUEL TV, pay-per-view, FOX, FS1, UFC Fight Pass, ESPN and ESPN+ during his UFC tenure.
Cerrone competes in his 34th UFC bout, the most appearances in company history.
Cerrone makes his 44th UFC/WEC appearance, the most in combined organizational history.
Cerrone’s 44 appearances in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce competition are most in combined organizational history.
Cerrone returns to the welterweight division for the first time since November 2018. He went 6-4 during his first stint in the weight class.
Cerrone’s 23 appearances since 2014 in UFC competition are most in the company.
Cerrone’s 23 victories in UFC competition are most in company history.
Cerrone’s 29 victories in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce competition are most in combined organization history.
Cerrone’s 17 victories in UFC lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Jim Miller (19).
Cerrone’s 16 stoppage victories in UFC competition are most in company history.
Cerrone’s 20 stoppage victories in UFC/WEC competition are the most in combined organizational history.
Cerrone’s 20 stoppage victories in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce competition are tied with Wanderlei Silva for second most in combined organizational history behind Mirko Cro Cop (21).
Cerrone’s 10 stoppage victories in UFC lightweight competition are third most in divisional history behind Joe Lauzon (12) and Miller (12).
Cerrone’s seven knockout victories stemming from kicks in UFC competition are the most in company history. No one else has more than four.
Cerrone’s eight submission victories in UFC/WEC lightweight competition are tied for third most in combined divisional history behind Nate Diaz (nine) and Miller (nine).
Cerrone’s 20 knockdowns landed in UFC competition are most in company history.
Cerrone has landed 378 leg kicks in UFC competition, the third most in company history behind Joanna Jedrzejczyk (430) and Thiago Alves (383).
Cerrone defends 90 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC lightweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class and second highest in divisional history behind Gleison Tibau (92 percent).
Cerrone’s 23 fight-night bonuses in UFC/WEC bouts are the most in combined organizational history.
Cerrone’s 18 fight-night bonuses in UFC bouts are most in company history.
McGregor vs. 'Cowboy': The epic numbers behind the UFC 246 main event
