The UFC don ended 2016 as the first simultaneous two-weight world champion – with both the light and featherweight straps – though he was harshly forced to drop the latter belt as he planned to take time away from MMA to become a father.

The Dublin warrior’s sibling Aoife tied the knot to beau Mark Elliott at St Mary’s church in Enniskerry, with the Irishman looking typically dapper.

The year started bleakly for the one-time plumber who was submitted by nemesis Nate Diaz at UFC 196.

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But he roared back with a majority points decision win in the rematch in August – which broke a list of UFC money-making records.

And in November he topped off his rollercoaster year by wiping the floor with Eddie Alvarez and securing his second belt from Dana White.

Speculation over a super-fight with 49-0 boxer Floyd Mayweather rumbles on as Mystic Mac now has a boxing licence. A problem may arise due to it only being valid California, when any potential showdown is certain to be in Mayweather's favoured location of Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey was sharing the space at the very top of the fight game with McGregor but her latest conclusive defeat – her second on the spin - leaves her at the bottom of the pile and Dublin’s finest out in front on his own.

Financial bible Forbes ranks McGregor as the 85th highest paid athlete on the planet after he was reported to have picked up at least £5million for the wins over Diaz and Alvarez.

The cage fighter is believed to have earned £18million from June 2015 to June 2016 and would no doubt have been seriously generous on his sister’s big day.

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