Conor McGregor’s ‘approach as sharp as ever’ forward of UFC 303

John Kavanagh assures that Conor McGregor’s deal with combating has by no means wavered.

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) returns from an virtually three-year lengthy layoff in opposition to Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) in a welterweight bout at UFC 303 June 29 from T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).

Outdoors of rehabilitating his damaged leg, McGregor has saved busy with quite a few issues – together with his performing debut within the film “Street Home,” which was launched March 21 on Prime Video. Kavanagh likes what he sees out of his star pupil as he preps for his extremely anticipated comeback.

“He’s wanting tremendous slick,” Kavanagh informed Extreme MMA. “There may be fighters that once they’re not combating … it begins changing into a job, and it’s exhausting to maintain the extent of depth. Even when it’s not bodily, the extent of psychological depth of at all times be desirous about coaching, at all times desirous about sequences, at all times desirous about methods. That’s one thing Conor’s had naturally his entire profession.

“So although when there have been occasions the place he’s filming and he’s doing this, he’s doing that, we’re nonetheless at all times having conversations again and ahead, whereas some fighters are like, ‘If I’m not combating, I don’t even wish to have a look at exhibits. I’ll simply prepare when there’s a battle developing.’ He’s come again on the mats as sharp as ever. After all, we’ve acquired to get the rounds in and get the conditioning up in order to be prepared for competitors, however his approach is as sharp as ever.”

Regardless of the skin distractions, Kavanagh says McGregor has been desirous about combating all through his whole layoff.

“Let’s say he has 20 totally different areas that he must deal with – martial arts will at all times be No. 1 as a result of he actually enjoys it,” Kavanagh stated. “It’s essentially the most enjoyable. Going by way of the paperwork on a extremely lengthy difficult property deal, in all probability not essentially the most thrilling factor on the earth. However for martial arts, I really feel I’ve a trump card. I can at all times ship him a spotlight, ship him a way, speak about a man in right here, and I’ll at all times pop to the highest of the record.

“So I don’t really feel I’ve to compete with these issues. Conor’s excellent at compartmentalization. Coaching is realistically possibly two one-hour classes a day. There’s loads of different time within the day the place he may be centered on different areas. So if you’re in right here, you’re on for the hour, you’re on for the 90 minutes, after which if you’re gone, you’re on for no matter it’s you’re doing on the market.”

Kavanagh thinks the Chandler battle resembles the one they ready for in opposition to Chad Mendes, the place McGregor ended up profitable by Spherical 2 TKO to seize the interim featherweight title.

“I see similarities to the Mendes battle,” Kavanagh stated. “I’d be shocked if it could go two rounds. I’d be shocked. He simply hits too exhausting, he’s too sharp. Is there going to be scrappiness, and some takedowns and stuff? Possibly. However each spherical begins on the toes, and his potential to get again there may be underestimated. I’d be shocked if we see two rounds.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 303.