Conor McGregor stops Jose Aldo: The talking was over, did it live up to the hype and is it really over? Round 1: Big John McCarthy was the referee in charge of the action. There was no touch of gloves. Aldo charges and lands a punch, but McGregor connects with a clean single shot and knocks the champion out with his very first punch. That’s it, all over in 13seconds and McGregor is the UFC champ.