Conor McGregor, Chad Mendes make weight, set for intense UFC title bout

LAS VEGAS — The stage is set for Conor McGregor. The brash Irishman now only has to live up to his momentous trash talk once the Octagon door is closed and he’s alone inside the cage against Chad Mendes in the main event of UFC 189 at the MGM Grand Garden.

McGregor and Mendes, who meet for the interim featherweight title on Saturday, weighed in successfully on Friday in front of a raucous crowd that UFC officials said was its largest ever for a weigh-in. McGregor hit the featherweight limit on the dot at 145 pounds, while Mendes came in at 144.5.

McGregor, who had the benefit of a full training camp, looked a bit drawn in the face, though his energy was high. He was bouncing up and down and clearly amped up, and the fighters were unable to go nose-to-nose to pose for the traditional face-off photo. After Mendes made weight, he moved quickly over to where McGregor was to confront him.

UFC president Dana White had to separate them as both men talked to each other while the crowd cheered in delight.

McGregor has been insulting Mendes since he came into the UFC. He derisively referred to him at times as “a 5-foot-6 overblown bodybuilder,” and “a little 5-foot-2 bantamweight.” When he was asked by UFC weigh-in host Joe Rogan how he perceived Mendes as an opponent, McGregor said, “Chad is an overblown midget,” as the large crowd roared its approval. “I’m going to cut him in half and raise gold for all Ireland, for my country.”

He’s soared to about a 2-to-1 favorite to beat Mendes and win the interim featherweight belt.

But he’s never faced an elite wrestler such as Mendes before, and it’s the one glaring hole on his otherwise outstanding resume.

Mendes, who lost featherweight title fights to champion Jose Aldo at UFC 142 in 2012 and UFC 179 last year, was a late replacement when Aldo injured a rib. But despite taking the fight on about 10 days’ notice, he seemed far less drained by the weight cut then McGregor.

He was more amped than normal, likely because he was so frequently baited by McGregor. After he weighed in, he said, “Time to take what’s mine, baby!”

Full UFC 189 weigh-in results

Conor McGregor (145) versus Chad Mendes (144.5), five rounds for the interim UFC featherweight title

Robbie Lawler (169.6) versus Rory MacDonald (170), five rounds for the UFC welterweight title

Dennis Bermudez (146) versus Jeremy Stephens (149.5), three rounds, featherweights.

Gunnar Nelson (169.5) versus Brandon Thatch (170.5), three rounds, welterweights

Thomas Almeida (136) versus Brad Pickett (136), three rounds, bantamweights

Matt Brown (171) versus Tim Means (171), three rounds, welterweights

John Howard (170.5) versus Cathal Pendred (171), three rounds, welterweights

Mike Swick (170.5) versus Alex Garcia (171), three rounds, welterweights

Cody Garbrandt (136) versus Henry Briones (136), three rounds, bantamweights

Neil Seery (125.5) versus Louis Smolka (126), three rounds, flyweights

Yosdenis Cedeno (155) versus Cody Pfister (156), three rounds, lightweights.