In 2014, two paths were to cross that would change the sport of MMA forever. A young Conor McGregor, known at the time for his brash talk and devastating knockout power, was about to face his toughest opponent up to that point in his career. His test was Dustin Poirier, a ranked featherweight that had proven himself by beating notable contenders and finishing fights by stoppage consistently. The test would determine the standing of McGregor, as either a good fighter or a potential title challenger.
As the fight approached, McGregor made some shocking comments, including a prediction that he would knock out Poirier in the first round. Known for making solid predictions, it was possible for the featherweight, but surely that was too much.