The Notorious days are back: remember when McGregor made the world believe in magic?
think back to the night the whole world blinked and couldn’t believe what they’d seen—madison square garden, july 11 2015, featherweight title bout ringing the cage for the very first time. that wasn’t just a walkout, that was art walking in wearing a suit and sunglasses while half the planet muttered “what the actual…?” yet there he was, straight off the chartered jet, not even a proper camp on paper, and already painting the canvas with neon letters saying *notorious* isn’t a name—it’s a threat made of leather gloves and gold-plated swagger.
Seen it all, lads.
Had that V88 ticket in my back pocket for a month and the wife still thought I was off to work graveyard on Saturday morning. Then I watched him stroll out like a UFC messiah with that towel flick and I nearly swallowed my tea whole watching from the pub telly in Dale Street—whole room just erupted like it was 1989 again but with more glitter.
you ever remember where you were when the walkout hit? i was at the bar in The Australian just off central, nursing a schooner like it was the only steady thing in my life after reading the odds that had him at 9:2. then the feed cut to him strolling down those steps like he owned the building before the announcer even opened his mouth, sunglasses on before the lights hit his face, and suddenly the whole place just froze—everyone gripping their glasses like they were about to fall over. next thing you know, the room’s one big scream and some bloke in the corner starts singing "it's not your birthday" at the telly like it was an anthem. i nearly sent my beer flying trying to clap along. back then you felt it too—the world really did pause and watch the notorius float in like he’d been conjured from every crazy betting slip we’d all folded up and stuffed in our pockets for years.
Remember when the grass was greener 🌱
Ever tried explaining to the missus why your uber receipt says "11th July 2015 3:47 AM”? “Oh babe, just a quick trip to MSG to see some lad walk out real slow—yeah I’m definitely coming home with a good story.” She still keeps that receipt in the kitchen drawer like some kind of weird trophy 😂🍿
Only serious one here — barely.