McGregor backs up boasts with demolition of Alvarez

Alvarez is the latest victim on the list.

"Eddie is a warrior, but he shouldn't be in there with me," he said.

"I'm at a different level. Now, I celebrate as champion of two divisions."

UFC was live and legal in New York for the first time since an MMA ban was lifted earlier this year.

To celebrate, UFC stacked the card with three title fights that set a promotion and MSG gate record with $17.7 million.

A 1999 boxing match between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield drew a record $13.5 million.

"Jesus is going to have to fight the devil to break that record," White said.

Tyron Woodley defeated Stephen Thompson via majority draw to retain his welterweight title in a fantastic fight and Joanna Jedrzejczyk successfully defended her UFC women's strawweight championship with a unanimous decision win over Karolina Kowalkiewicz.

But the stage belonged to McGregor.

McGregor, as he had been all week in New York, was the undisputed star of the card. His fans swathed themselves in Irish flag capes and his countrymen sang "Ole, Ole, Ole" in the concourse and stands throughout the show.

"It was obvious the crowd was here to see Conor McGregor," Woodley said.

The crowd could not wait one more night to see him.

The two-decade ban imposed by New York left only unsanctioned MMA fights in the state.

State lawmakers and Governor Andrew Cuomo agreed in April to end the ban following years of failed efforts by supporters.

The law authorizing the sport took effect in September, and UFC optimistically already had MSG booked.

UFC last ran a major show in the state at UFC 7: The Brawl in Buffalo on April 7, 1995.

UFC, under Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, became a staple on network television and ran PPV cards that hit one million buys during the ban. UFC 205 was expected to reach around 1.5 million PPV buys. UFC sold for approximately $4 billion to a group led by Hollywood entertainment conglomerate WME-IMG in July.

McGregor told reporters after the fight he wanted an equity stake in UFC.

"Whoever runs this place now has to come to me and give me my slice," he said. "Bring me on board for real. I need to be set for life on this."

McGregor might need an extra ticket for his next fight: The two-division champ is set to become a first-time father in May.

"I feel like I'm just reaching my prime," he said. "The best is yet to come."