Conor McGregor Issues Heartfelt Tribute to Recently Retired Cathal Pendred

Don’t say Conor McGregor isn’t a team player.

On Tuesday night, the interim featherweight champion took to Facebook to issue a heartfelt tribute to SBG Ireland teammate Cathal Pendred, who had announced his retirement from mixed martial arts earlier in the day.

McGregor wrote the following:

Cathal Pendred = LEGEND!
A man who came from zero combat sports background and entered into the game at a time when there was ZERO UFC fighters signed from Ireland. At a time where 99% of people inside the Irish MMA community, and 100% of people outside, deemed it “impossible” for and Irishman to get signed, let alone register a win inside the UFC. Nowadays everyone thinks they can do it.
Cathal rose up with nothing but hard work, iron grit and a never say die attitude to win the Cage Warriors 170lbs title. Runner up in the Ultimate Fighter and boast a solid 4-2 record inside the UFC’s Octagon.
3 of those wins coming against opponents who failed post fight drug tests due to use of Performance Enhancing Drugs after the fight!
This man deserves endless respect!!!
You think Irish Warrior, you think Cathal!
You think against all odds underdog, you think Cathal!
You think come from behind victory, you think Cathal!!
Cathal brother, you are a legend!
Thank you for all the rounds and all the help over the years and I wish you nothing but the best my brother!!
You are a champion at whatever you decide to do in life!

Pendred (17-4-1), a former Cage Warriors welterweight champion, initially rose to prominence in America during his time as a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter 19. He was most recently seen suffering a first round TKO to Tom Breese at UFC Fight Night 76 in October. This the marked the second straight setback for Pendred with his previous being a decision loss to John Howard at UFC 189 in July.

The Irish fighter previously came out on top in his first four bouts under the UFC banner, including a thrilling come from behind second-round submission victory in his UFC debut against Mike King at UFC Fight Night 46. Both men were awarded Fight of the Night bonuses for their performance.

McGregor (18-2) earned his interim title with second round TKO over Chad Mendes at UFC 189 in July.  The man known as “Notorious” is currently scheduled to square off against featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo in a title unification bout at UFC 194 in December.