John Kavanagh: Conor McGregor 'hasn't lost a beat' in preparation for UFC return

SBG Ireland head trainer John Kavanagh is optimstic regarding the prospects for Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC.

The former two-division champion suffered a broken leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021 and has been on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery following that fight. Kavanagh commented on McGregor’s prospects to BBC Sport after the Irish star returned to jiu-jitsu class for the first time in more than a year this past week.

"He's healthy, happy and it's great to have him back," Kavanagh said. “The last few sessions in the gym here were MMA-orientated — he's got the all-clear for that now.

"He did a great session last night, we got some great rounds in. He hasn't lost a beat and was looking great.”

There still isn’t a clear timetable for McGregor’s return, though he has no shortage of potential opponents once he is ready to fight again. Kavanagh didn’t mention a specific opponent for the UFC’s biggest star, but the coach is confident that McGregor can compete at either lightweight or welterweight.

"Trust me, I got to have a bit of a wrestle with him last night and I felt it," Kavanagh said. "When that silverback arm goes around your neck there's a bit of an extra squeeze there, so, he's very very strong at the moment.

"But look, when we get to the stage of looking at weight classes and opponents there's nobody more professional than Conor at making weight and it will all be done properly.”

Kavanagh added that the McGregor who showed up to jiu-jitsu class displays a far different attitude than the one with which most fight fans are familiar.

"I always tell people, they see this kind of performance part of his persona," Kavanagh said. "It's two or three times a year, at the press conferences and it's all very loud and glitzy and glamour and entertainment, but it's the 52-weeks-of-the-year guy that part of me wishes some people would be more aware of.

"How he is walking on the mat, he gives a handshake to everybody, and is always incredibly respectful towards me as a coach, saying 'yes sir and no sir', and lining up at the end of the class when everybody bows down.

"He's got that true kind of martial arts personality. He comes in and approaches training with such a focus and positive energy, and really puts everything into every drill. And then of course he's always incredibly generous with his praise, and it's very well received, he's a very very special part of the gym, as a whole, and I'll say my life.”