September 4, 2023 8:55 pm ET
It’s been greater than two years and a severe harm since former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has competed within the octagon, however that doesn’t essentially imply he hasn’t developed his talent set.
On Monday, McGregor revealed on social media that he’s been awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu by his longtime coach, John Kavanagh of SBG Eire, after “20 years of exhausting work.”
Obtained my black belt tonight from my coach, buddy, and mentor, @coach_kavanagh of @sbgireland! 20 years of exhausting work! Thanks John for all the pieces over time, and to all of my workforce mates all through this unbelievable jiu jitsu journey! Thanks all a lot from the underside of my coronary heart! A Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt, wow! Reward be to God after which Helio. I’ll be within the Gi in it tomorrow Helio, I promise, and I can not wait!! McGregor, 35, a striker recognized for his knockout capacity, has tried one submission in 14 UFC appearances since his debut in April 2013. That got here in his final struggle, a July 2021 TKO loss to Dustin Poirier of their trilogy.
Within the ultimate moments of the primary spherical, McGregor suffered a grotesque damaged leg that required surgical procedure and in depth rehab. However he’s been again wholesome for fairly a while and earlier this yr coached opposite Michael Chandler on “The Ultimate Fighter 31.”
Maybe McGregor will get an opportunity to indicate off his floor recreation in a struggle with Chandler. As is customary with “TUF” coaches, the 2 are anticipated to struggle one another, though nothing has appeared imminent whereas McGregor has remained out of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency drug-testing pool. Per the coverage, McGregor must be within the USADA pool for at the least six months earlier than he can compete. McGregor, who was very energetic whereas he chased UFC gold, has fought within the octagon simply 4 occasions since October 2018, throughout which he’s gone 1-3 with losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov in a lightweight title fight and twice to Poirier. McGregor’s lone victory got here in January 2020, a first-round TKO of Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds in a welterweight bout.
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