McGregor eyes July return against top ten opponent; talks UFC Dublin, Cole Miller, New Gym and much more
On the road to a full recovery, Irish MMA star Conor McGregor caught up with PETER CARROLL to talk about his rehabilitation, coming home to Dublin and fame. The Irishman also revealed the key role he is playing in the UFC’s selection of a date for their Dublin card, what type of opponent he wants to face on his return and which Irish fighters he believes deserve an opportunity on the world’s biggest MMA stage.
“The Notorious” Conor McGregor became obsessed with martial arts from a young age. From Crumlin Boxing Club to local kickboxing gyms, trading techniques with Ireland’s first UFC competitor and his close personal friend Tom Egan and eventually on to Straight Blast Gym – he was primarily building his combat arsenal, but it also provided him with an outlet that kept him active and out of trouble.
Such was his reliance on the arts that when he spent some time away from John Kavanagh and Co, McGregor’s mother got in contact with the SBG boss to get her son back on the mat.
In August, after putting on a one sided showcase en route to victory over Max Holloway, an anterior cruciate ligament tear to the Dubliner’s knee took him away from his passion again. This time, removed from the physical acts that he repeated in the gym day after day on his ascent, McGregor made sure that his head never left the game.
“I still can’t do everything, but in time I’ll be back grappling,” said McGregor, hell bent on his comeback. “I’ve been able to do a bit of sparring since I’ve come back to Dublin and I’m still fitter and faster than everyone. Earlier on when I had just had surgery I was helpless, but the mind is a powerful thing.
“My mind never stopped thinking about movements and positions. You can’t let what you cannot do affect what you can do. Honestly, it’s like I’ve never been away. I feel like I’ve improved, I’m better than ever.
“I have to go back to LA in February for an agility test. Once they’re happy with what they see I’ll be easing into grappling again and I can’t wait for that. I’ve been thinking about that the same way as I did with my stand-up so I know I’ll be right back into the swing of things when I’m given the green light.”