Hanford's Chad Mendes loses to Ireland's Conor McGregor at UFC 189

LAS VEGAS (KFSN) -- Hanford's Chad Mendes lost to Ireland's Conor McGregor by second round stoppage at UFC 189 in Las Vegas on Saturday night. McGregor is now the new interim UFC featherweight champion.

McGregor (18-2) spent much of the first two rounds on his back, but the Irish sensation finished the fight with a lightning-quick combination. After a huge left hand put Mendes down, McGregor pounded away for the stoppage and then jumped onto the cage in celebration.

Mendes (17-3), who stepped in for injured featherweight champion Jose Aldo just 2 1/2 weeks ago, embraced McGregor in sportsmanship after a promotion dominated by high-level trash talk.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.