Three minutes and four seconds. Thats exactly how long it took Irelands Conor McGregor to make history in the second round at UFC 205 on Saturday.McGregor knocked out lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez to become the first mixed martial arts fighter to simultaneously hold two UFC belts: featherweight and now lightweight.Ireland has produced some incredibly talented athletes over the years, but McGregor, known as Notorious MMA, has defined, owned and ruled on the international stage.This is not forgetting an astonishing year in Irish sport, though. Ireland defeated the All Blacks for the first time in 111 years in Chicago, Dundalk became the first Irish football team to win a group-stage game in European competition and cult-hero boxer Katie Taylor turned professional.But McGregor is UFCs Lionel Messi.With 7.8 million followers on Instagram, 4.5 million on Facebook and 2.8 million on Twitter -- he is more than just the UFCs main attraction -- McGregor is the sports icon, mascot and champion.McGregor has made it very clear that he is proud of his roots. Speaking to ESPN in July, he said, I tell you what, them Irish genes are good. Theyve served me well.We are made tough. We are made of steel. So I have no doubt the blood in my genes, the Irish blood in me has definitely stood me. My familys lineage, we are warriors.Of course, Ireland has a rich history of celebrating domestic sports such as Gaelic football and hurling, and has excelled in horse racing, but few from the country have become world beaters.Golfs Padraig Harrington comes close. The Dublin man has three major titles to his name, including The Open Championship and PGA Championship double in 2008. He spent over 300 weeks in the top 10 world rankings, but never the top spot.Roy Keane captained Manchester United to the treble in 1999 -- winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League -- while Paul McGrath represented Ireland at the 1990 and 1994 football World Cups. McGrath also participated in the teams first international tournament in 1988.Sonia OSullivan is also a national icon. The long-distance runner from County Cork became the 5,000-meter world champion in 1995 and won a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games.Brian ODriscoll is arguably the closest to rival Conor McGregor as Irelands greatest champion. ODriscoll is regarded as one of the best rugby union players of all time, and he captained his country from 2003 until 2012.ODriscoll is the second-most-capped player ever in union and the highest try scorer in Irish rugby. He also led Ireland to two Six Nations titles, in 2009 and 2014 respectively.However, none of those athletes had the swagger and cult following of McGregor, who has become such a superstar in America and all across the world over the past few years.It can be argued that the rise of social media and celebrity culture has helped drive his fame -- but you cant say he doesnt have the talent to back this up.His remarkable UFC record includes ground-breaking victories over Nate Diaz, Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo that have helped change the sport. And McGregor isnt even finished yet.Womens Lightning Jerseys . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season. Discount Lightning Jerseys . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. http://www.cheaplightningjerseyschina.com/alex-killorn-jersey/ .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York Islanders a power play. Chris Kunitz Jersey .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. Andrei Vasilevskiy Jersey . Uniteds eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Charlie Adam scored both of Stokes goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persies equalizer, with a miserable day for seventh-place United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off.ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions have added depth to their offensive line by signing Brian Mihalik.The deal was announced Thursday.Mihalik played in one preseason game this season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad last seasoon after they drafted him in the seventh round from Boston College.dddddddddddd---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '