After a year away from the sport, Conor McGregor returned to the UFC on Saturday night and knocked out Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in a welterweight fight at UFC 246.

It was McGregor's first UFC bout since he was defeated by Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018.

Following the explosive end to the fight — with a skirmish between McGregor, Nurmagomedov and the fighters' respective camps — McGregor was handed a six-month suspension and then announced his retirement on social media.

Conor McGregor celebrates after knocking out Donald Cerrone in their welterweight fight during the UFC 246 event at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Conor McGregor celebrates after knocking out Donald Cerrone in their welterweight fight during the UFC 246 event at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday in Las Vegas.
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McGregor hits Cerrone during their UFC 246 welterweight mixed martial arts bout.
McGregor hits Cerrone during their UFC 246 welterweight mixed martial arts bout.
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McGregor lands a knee to the face of Cerrone. McGregor blitzed Cerrone from the opening bell and won the fight less than a minute into the first round.
McGregor lands a knee to the face of Cerrone. McGregor blitzed Cerrone from the opening bell and won the fight less than a minute into the first round.
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McGregor celebrates after defeating Cerrone. McGregor improves his career professional record to 22-4 with 19 knockouts.
McGregor celebrates after defeating Cerrone. McGregor improves his career professional record to 22-4 with 19 knockouts.
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Cerrone reacts after his TKO loss to McGregor. Cerrone, the UFC's all-time winningest fighter, drops to 36-14 in his professional career.
Cerrone reacts after his TKO loss to McGregor. Cerrone, the UFC's all-time winningest fighter, drops to 36-14 in his professional career.
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McGregor is seen with his eyes closed after arriving on the octagon.
McGregor is seen with his eyes closed after arriving on the octagon.
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McGregor acknowledges the crowd after entering the octagon.
McGregor acknowledges the crowd after entering the octagon.
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Cerrone heads to the octagon before his welterweight fight against McGregor.
Cerrone heads to the octagon before his welterweight fight against McGregor.
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McGregor kicks Cerrone in the face.
McGregor kicks Cerrone in the face.
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A general view of the octagon showing the colors of Ireland during the McGregor-Cerrone UFC 246 event.
A general view of the octagon showing the colors of Ireland during the McGregor-Cerrone UFC 246 event.
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McGregor walks away after knocking out Cerrone in their welterweight fight.
McGregor walks away after knocking out Cerrone in their welterweight fight.
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Conor McGregor is hugged by Jerry Cerrone, the grandmother of Donald Cerrone, after the bout.
Conor McGregor is hugged by Jerry Cerrone, the grandmother of Donald Cerrone, after the bout.
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Cerrone has his hands taped.
Cerrone has his hands taped.
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McGregor has his hands wrapped.
McGregor has his hands wrapped.
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McGregor, left, and Cerrone pose during a ceremonial weigh-in for a UFC 246 welterweight mixed martial arts bout Friday in Las Vegas.
McGregor, left, and Cerrone pose during a ceremonial weigh-in for a UFC 246 welterweight mixed martial arts bout Friday in Las Vegas.
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McGregor and Cerrone shake hands after their welterweight fight.
McGregor and Cerrone shake hands after their welterweight fight.
Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
McGregor and Cerrone shake hands after their welterweight fight.
McGregor and Cerrone shake hands after their welterweight fight.
Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images