Will the critics finally be silenced? Whats next? Heres what we learned after Conor McGregor created history by adding Eddie Alvarezs lightweight title to his existing featherweight prize. McGregor KOs Alvarez Second world title win on New York City debut How does McGregors achievement compare?A legion of cage legends have not even attempted to make the gargantuan leap into a second weight category, much less challenge the No 1 fighter from the division above. In rolling the dice and staggeringly hitting the jackpot, McGregor has gone above and beyond the landmark achievements of Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva or Jon Jones. McGregor has not defended either of his belts, unlike that esteemed trio of UFC greats, so that must be taken into consideration. But equally, in measuring McGregors bravery to jump up by 10lbs, it must be noted that St-Pierre, Silva and Jones never considered it wise to embark on a meaningful run outside of the safe-haven divisions that they owned.BJ Penn and Randy Couture held UFC titles in two weight divisions at separate times but McGregor has even trumped them by wearing gold on each shoulder. To have done so within the space of a year (and finding time to fit in a double-header against Nate Diaz at welterweight, a third weight division) is an accomplishment at the forefront of anything that any UFC fighter could boast.Isnt McGregor supposed to struggle against wrestlers?The perceived method of defeating McGregor (take him down, hold him down) received another slap in the face as Alvarezs accomplished wrestling credentials failed to impose themselves. Its not the first time McGregor has beaten a wrestler so will this theory crumble, as Alvarez did? The first time the Irishman overcame the grappling acumen of an American opponent, his victim was Chad Mendes in the summer of 2015, yet critics refused to shy away. Mendes was a last-ditch replacement for the injured Jose Aldo and, although he successfully dragged McGregor to the canvas for extended periods, eventually succumbed to a knockout.The short-notice arrangement of that fight meant McGregor was castigated in some quarters for benefiting from Mendes lack of fitness. This time around, nullifying Alvarezs take-downs must carry more weight. Alvarez enjoyed a full training camp of planning how to put McGregor on his back yet never came close to doing so.The snake-hips and constant threat of a counter-punch from the featherweight champion means he is becoming an increasingly difficult target to wrestle to the ground.Why has nobody found an answer for his trademark punch?The vicious left fist of McGregor - the same weapon that yielded his first UFC title, and previously dragged him up the ladder of contenders - accounted for the durable Alvarez. They know its coming, but they cant get out of the way. A skilled puncher who stands southpaw is a rare commodity in the world of MMA so McGregors stance has a uniqueness that is even more pronounced than it would be inside a boxing ring. The left hand is almost always delivered perfectly straight (he doesnt often throw hooks or uppercuts) and comes from an angle that opponent after opponent has found too difficult to suss. It possesses a power which means that one strike can befuddle the victim - Alvarez was never the same after surviving the first knock-down - meaning a repeat becomes likelier and likelier. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just £6.99. No contract. But the real key behind McGregors punching style, honed in Irish boxing gyms before he ever removed his shoes to step into a cage, is his unrivalled accuracy. Alvarez has made a career of throwing wide, powerful hooks (thats how he dethroned Rafael dos Anjos to become champion) but they are energy-sapping efforts that infrequently find the perfect home. McGregor throws short and straight, and nobody yet has found an escape route. Can McGregor box? Exclusive investigation into his boxing credentials Is McGregor the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world?The official rankings before Saturday night had McGregor fourth - behind No 3 Daniel Cormier, second-placed Dominick Cruz and top dog Demetrious Mighty Mouse Johnson. Can any of that trio claim to be better than McGregor now that he is a two-weight champion?McGregors sole UFC defeat to Nate Diaz must come into play here, because it represents an imperfect resume. However, light-heavyweight champion Cormier has also lost to Jon Jones so McGregor must automatically leapfrog him, at the very least. Cruz and Johnson, the bantamweight and flyweight champions respectively, are a sensational duo who arent automatically demoted due to McGregors increasing brilliance. They have fought each other, with Cruz winning, so Johnson also has one UFC blemish on his record. The pair are masters of their craft who blend all aspects of the sport seamlessly while rarely taking damage, but neither have put a run together that compares to McGregors.The looming return of Jones, the exiled former light-heavyweight champion, adds to the competition for the fantasy No 1 spot but he cant be considered until his suspension ends. As it stands, the argument for keeping McGregor off the top spot has dwindled to sheer bias.When will he be back?Another fascinating layer of intrigue surrounding the Irishmans story is how frequently we see him inside the cage. He has managed to fit 10 fights into a mere three-and-a-half year UFC stint, including turning around from his Diaz defeat within five short months. He still rushed back, the prospect of creating history in New York City proving too tempting.Yet a post-fight announcement that his girlfriend is expecting their first child (imagine the ferocity of a mini-McGregor running around in a couple of decades) implies that Conor Sr is approaching his first major break since his remarkable takeover began. Watch Conor McGregors post-fight press conference He has already indicated that a potential return could be as far more than a mere fighter. McGregor, fully aware of his status as the UFCs most popular star, has indicated that the companys new owners must invite him into the boardroom if they want to appease his ambition. People have shares in the company, celebrities. Conan OBrien owns the UFC nowadays, so where is my share? Where is my equity? If Im the one thats bringing this. I mean, theyve got to come talk to me now, thats all I know. McGregor: I want my UFC stake Star has demanded a share of the UFC ownership Ive got both belts, a chunk of money, a little family on the way. If you want me to stick around and you want me to keep doing what Im doing, lets talk.But I want ownership, I want equal share, I want what I deserve, I want what Ive earned.His grand plan would represent a breakthrough in what any sportsperson has ever been capable of, yet is remains a pipe-dream. His last pipe-dream? Three years ago, he claimed hed become a UFC two-weight world champion… Also See: McGregor KOs Alvarez Can McGregor box? 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Vettel was 0.168 seconds faster than Red Bull teammate Mark Webber around the Suzuka circuit. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was two tenths of a second off Vettel. "The car balance is decent, but I think we can still improve," Vettel said. 10 The summer of the nightwatchmanNightwatchmen can produce some great stories. Liam Norwell had never made a hundred in any form of cricket until he took one off Derbyshire at Bristol in April. But the one we deem worthy of a place in the Top 10 moments came from Owen Morgan, a Swansea-born allrounder, whose maiden hundred was also the matchwinning shot against Worcestershire at New Road in August. He was the first Glamorgan player to achieve the feat and the win took them off the bottom of the table.9 Its the taking part that mattersSometimes it really is true to say that it is not the winning that matters but the taking part. Tom Fell, made a memorable comeback for Worcestershire after first testicular cancer and then chemotherapy for lymph cancer and made a stylish half-century against Leicestershire at New Road after an absence of nearly 10 months. The most uplifting fifty of the season.8 Taunton last-wicket heroicsSummers can turn on days like this, when events unfold quickly and heroes emerge. So it was for Somerset on a bewitching day in Taunton at the end of May, as Nos. 10 and 11, Jack Leach and Tim Groenewald, eked out the 31 runs they required for a victory that felt close to impossible 24 hours earlier. Groenewald cover drove the winning runs after he and Leach had nervelessly played out 11 dot balls with just one required. Taunton had freed itself from a sequence of turgid draws - and was never quite the same again.7 Old dog Tomlinson heads back to the denRetirement statements are often cobbled together by communications officers and spout predictable thanks. Not so James Tomlinson. Tomlinson might not have been one of the most eye-catching county pros, but he provided a warm and witty farewell to county cricket, recalling a nature documentary about wild dogs on a hunt and comparing himself to the old dog at the back of the pack, trying to keep up. Lovely stuff.6 John Simpsons sixJohn Simpsons six over fine leg off Jim Allenby capped a thrilling run chase at Taunton by Middlesex which proved to be a key moment in their Championship success. Middlesexs two-wicket win seemed unlikely with 96 needed off the final eight overs, but Simpsons unbeaten 79 from 80 balls brought victory with two balls to spare. 5 Graham Napiers Colchester farewellGraham Napier was among hhis people, in the town where he was born.dddddddddddd That it was his last appearance at the Colchester Festival before his retirement was incontestable and there was talk, too, that the Festival itself was under threat. He left everyone something to relish - a marvellous draw-securing 124 against Sussex, one of the key moments in Essexs securing of the Division Two title.4 Chris Woakes whirlwindWhen your task is to replace Ben Stokes in a Test on Stokes home ground, you must replace a force of nature. Chris Woakes pronounced he was ready with figures of 9 for 36 against Durham at Edgbaston. His relentless swing bowling at pace was a harbinger of a fine summer ahead. Woakes would be seen in a new light from that day forward.3 Tim Bresnans bonus pointYorkshires Championship challenge had stuttered all season but somehow they hung in there and thanks to the greatest knock of Tim Bresnans career - an unbeaten 142 - they kept their ambitions alive against until the final moments of the season. The tension was unbearable as Bresnan and last man Ryan Sidebottom edged towards the 350 Yorkshire needed to stay in the hunt. Who would have thought that the search for a batting bonus point could be captivating?2 James Hildreths hobbleFor the most courageous innings of the season look no further than James Hildreth in Somersets final match of the season. Hildreth was only 15 when he was struck on the ankle by Jake Ball, but hobbled on with a runner to make one of the most defiant Championship centuries in history. Hildreths black-and-blue ankle circulated around social media and an x-ray confirmed it was broken. A couple of days later, Somerset were broken too.1 The title hat-trickAfter 16 matches and nearly six months, the Championship was settled by a hat-trick. Toby Roland-Jones secured Middlesexs first title since 1993 and, whatever the shenanigans to set up the denouement, their unbeaten record insisted they deserved it. The Championship enjoyed a heady afternoon when it was talked about as much as Premier League football and even their salt-of-the-earth director of cricket Angus Fraser, central to the Middlesex resurgence, was beaming with contentment. ' ' '