Conor McGregor's Irish invasion left Las Vegas rocking

Conor McGregor's Irish invasion left Las Vegas rocking



This may have been an affirmation of Floyd Mayweather's enduring class but the atmosphere inside the T-Mobile Arena was a confirmation of Conor McGregor's Notorious popularity.

The boos at Mayweather's entry, in his home town no less, demonstrated the pull of McGregor - and it wasn't just the Irish backing him. Australian, German, American... you name it, were all hoping for a McGregor upset and though it wasn't to be, what a spectacle they made it.

And to think, the night had all started so tamely. 



We waited an age for the Irish invasion before it came.

There was a strangely subdued atmosphere around the stadium in the hours building up to the fight and during the undercard. What fans had entered the stadium had not sat in their seats and those outside were wandering around, no singing or chanting could be heard. Perhaps the heat had got to the Irish hordes... or the $15 price for a beer. Turns out it was just the calm before the storm.

The first cheer of the night was reserved for a clip of McGregor walking to his dressing room with his partner, baby and entourage. A decent world title fight between Nathan Cleverly and Badou Jack didn't muster more than a mumble - it was clear what the fans were here for



Then they came streaming down the aisles to see Dublin's Notorious - the stands packed for the penultimate fight of the night between junior lightweights Gervonta Davis and Francisco Fonseca.

Thousands of Irish fans had descended on Las Vegas for this weekend, many already based in the States on working visas, and the rest via the air. Let's hope the last one left in Ireland turned out the lights.

Those in Sin City were heard chanting 'Conor, Conor' after a rally from the Dubliner in the sixth, but in truth he peaked in the second before Mayweather grabbed control.

There was a sense of inevitability when the stoppage came in the 10th, but the joy won't be sapped out of this green Vegas crowd.

The party is sure to go long into the night.