More: "Notorious" gets the KO l Social media reacts
McGregor, who was out-wrestled for almost 10 minutes, pulled off a knock-out win courtesy of a right-left combo near the end of the second round.
The KO came after Mendes – who took the fight on short notice after Jose Aldo pulled out – grew rapidly tired after several minutes on the mat during the first two rounds.
Until he was caught by McGregor’s swift and accurate striking, Mendes was in charge of the fight.
Not that “Notorious” was taking any notice.
“The guy didn’t stop talking shit the entire time,” said Mendes.
“I was hitting him with everything I had and the guy was still running his mouth, that’s Conor I guess.
“I’d land this giant elbow on his face and he’s say ‘that all you got?’ stuff like that.”
McGregor said that was part of the fight-plan.
“I spoke to him during every single exchange,” he said.
“I told him you’re in with a different animal now.”
Some fans have questioned referee Herb Dean’s stoppage, with just a couple of seconds to go in the second round.
In the cage afterwards, Mendes didn’t show any signs of frustration at the stoppage, and in the post-fight press conference said he trusted Dean to make the right call.
“I remember getting back to my feet and feeling tired, my feet were planted,” he said.
“That’s the mistake I made and Conor was able to stand in-front of me and tee off. That’s the mistake I made and I don’t know how fast the stoppage was but if Herb thought it was done, it was done.
“He makes the decision, not me.”
McGregor now faces a long-awaited showdown with Jose Aldo (hopefully), with Mendes being one of the first to weigh in on what will happen.
“Jose is a different beast, man, he’s a tough beast.
“That’s a fight I’m interested in watching and it’s gonna be a good one.”