Coach: Conor McGregor 'hasn't Lost A Beat' Since Return From Injury ...

Skip to main contentSB NationSB Nation logoCome Fight With UsSunday, March 15, 2026MMA Fighting homepageMMA FightingMMA Fighting LogoNotificationsNotifications

• The Feed
• UFC
• MMA News
• Betting
  • Online Sports Betting
  • UFC Odds
• Podcasts
• Schedule
  • Fight Schedule
  • Fight Results
• Rankings
• Sections
  • Results
  • Boxing
  • Bellator
  • Videos
• Newsletters
• About
• More

Navigation Drawer

• Login / Sign Up

closeCloseSearch

• VideoWatch
• PodcastListen
• In Five GamesPlay

• The Feed
• UFC
• MMA News
• BettingExpand
  • Online Sports Betting
  • UFC Odds
• Podcasts
• ScheduleExpand
  • Fight Schedule
  • Fight Results
• Rankings
• SectionsExpand
  • Results
  • Boxing
  • Bellator
  • Videos
• Newsletters
• About
• Community Guidelines
• All communities

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Youtube
• RSS

MMA FightingCoach: Conor McGregor ‘hasn’t lost a beat’ since return from injury, looking ‘very, very strong’NotificationsNotifications

• UFC

Coach: Conor McGregor ‘hasn’t lost a beat’ since return from injury, looking ‘very, very strong’by MMA Fighting NewswireJul 17, 2022, 3:00 PM UTC

• Facebook
• Link

Photo by Edward Berthelot/GC Images

Conor McGregor is inching closer to his UFC return.

The former two-division champion has finally returned to MMA training as he continues to rehabilitate the injuries he suffered in his July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier — and McGregor’s longtime head coach, SBG Ireland founder John Kavanagh, told BBC Sport that he’s been impressed by the early returns he’s seen from McGregor’s latest comeback efforts.

“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 [earlier this past week], we got some great rounds in. He hasn’t lost a beat and was looking great.”

McGregor, 34, hasn’t competed since suffering a gruesome broken leg in his rubber match with Poirier at UFC 264. It was the second of back-to-back losses to Poirier for “The Notorious,” and dropped McGregor to just 1-3 since capturing his second UFC title in 2016.

Related

• Charles Oliveira wants ‘profitable’ Conor McGregor fight next: ‘It would also be really good for my legacy’
• Roundtable: What is Conor McGregor’s greatest feud?
• Conor McGregor says his UFC ‘story is far from over,’ will ‘for sure’ compete in boxing again

McGregor is expected to return in either late 2022 or early 2023 and has already been the subject of numerous high-profile callouts from fighters jockeying to be his next opponent, even including the UFC’s uncrowned lightweight king Charles Oliveira, who’s repeatedly made it clear that McGregor is his No. 1 choice to challenge him for the vacant UFC title.

While McGregor has yet to commit to a weight class for his impending return, Kavanagh noted that the extra bulk the former champion has packed on during his rehabilitation has already been felt by the Irishman’s training partners, however that bulk won’t prevent McGregor from dropping back down to 155 pounds if the right opportunity arises.

“Trust me, I got to have a bit of a wrestle with him last night and I felt it,” said Kavanagh. “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.”

See More:

• Latest News
• News
• UFC

MMA Fighting

A daily roundup of UFC and MMA news and results

Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Advertiser Content From

This is the title for the native ad

More in UFC

Mar 14Kevin Vallejos responds to backlash of Cub Swanson callout, getting Josh Emmett insteadMar 14UFC Vegas 114 predictionsPodcastMar 13UFC Vegas 114 Preview Show: Is this the last ride for Josh Emmett?Mar 13Oscar De La Hoya rips Zuffa over Jai Opetaia situation, ‘participation trophy’ boxing beltMar 13Belal Muhammad compares UFC White House crowd to ‘The Hunger Games’: ‘They’re not real fans’Mar 13Colby Covington claims UFC treating him ‘like sh*t,’ Bo Nickal suggests White House fight still possibleUFCMar 14UFCMar 14Kevin Vallejos responds to backlash of Cub Swanson callout, getting Josh Emmett instead

Kevin Vallejos didn’t get Cub Swanson, but got Josh Emmett instead in his first UFC headliner.

By Mike HeckUFCMar 14UFCMar 14UFC Vegas 114 predictions

Kevin Vallejos has a chance to take out longtime contender Josh Emmett on Saturday.

By Alexander K. LeeLatest NewsMar 13PodcastLatest NewsMar 13UFC Vegas 114 Preview Show: Is this the last ride for Josh Emmett?

Josh Emmett and Kevin Vallejos do battle at UFC Vegas 114, and MMA Fighting is here to break it all down

By Jed Meshew, Alexander K. Lee and 1 moreBoxingMar 13BoxingMar 13Oscar De La Hoya rips Zuffa over Jai Opetaia situation, ‘participation trophy’ boxing belt

Oscar De La Hoya attacks Zuffa Boxing and Dana White over broken promises

By Jed MeshewUFCMar 13UFCMar 13Belal Muhammad compares UFC White House crowd to ‘The Hunger Games’: ‘They’re not real fans’

Belal Muhammad says UFC White House audience is getting the lineup it deserves.

By Alexander K. LeeUFCMar 13UFCMar 13Colby Covington claims UFC treating him ‘like sh*t,’ Bo Nickal suggests White House fight still possible

Colby Covington details his issues with the UFC and how they run their business after UFC White House snub.

By Alexander K. LeeAdvertiser Content From

This is the title for the native ad

The Latest

48 minutes agoUFC Vegas 114 video: Marwan Rahiki breaks Harry Hardwick’s jaw to earn stoppage victoryTwo hours agoLIVE! UFC Vegas 114 Results: Emmett vs. VallejosMar 14UFC Vegas 114 video: Manoel Sousa flattens Bolaji Oki with devastating 1-punch knockoutMar 14Former WWE tag champ Gzim Selmani survives knockdown, destroys Daniel Curtin with bloody knockout in BKFC debutMar 14Ex-UFC fighter Jairzinho Rozenstruik has domestic violence charges dropped after January arrestMar 14Vitor Petrino reacts to UFC ranking removal in favor of declining Tai TuivasaCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...