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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 18: Conor McGregor of Ireland celebrates after knocking out Donald Cerrone in their welterweight fight during the UFC 246 event at T-Mobile Arena on January 18, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 18: Conor McGregor of Ireland celebrates after knocking out Donald Cerrone in their welterweight fight during the UFC 246 event at T-Mobile Arena on January 18, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Throwback to the time when John Kavanagh advised Conor McGregor to not go for a rematch against Nate Diaz. John Kavanagh is the trainer of UFC Legend Conor McGregor. The 45-year-old MMA expert is one of the best advisors McGregor has had in his career.
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“The Notorious” sometimes makes impulsive decisions and requesting this rematch was certainly one of them, according to his trainer.
John Kavanagh shares the adamancy of Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor is a UFC legend. The 34-year-old MMA fighter is as persistent as he is stubborn. His trainer, John Kavanagh can attest to how fixated the man can be upon taking a loss. The Irishman can’t rest until he’s gotten his revenge in the Octagon.
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So, John Kavanagh takes us back on a memory lane to re-live how McGregor reacted when he lost to Nate Diaz, for the first time in his UFC career. The Irish trainer opens up to Joe Rogan on #44 of The JRE MMA Show with John Kavanagh and George Lockhart.
Joe Rogan asks about how Conor McGregor feels about a rematch with Khabib. Kavanagh goes on a tangent to explain his disciple’s mindset. Kavanagh replies saying “It was like, when he lost the Diaz 1 fight…” talking about when McGregor faced Nate Diaz at UFC 196.
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LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 19: UFC President Dana White (C) separates mixed martial artist Nate Diaz (L) and UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor (R) as they face off during their weigh-in for UFC 202 at MGM Grand Conference Center on August 19, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fighters will meet in a welterweight rematch on August 20, 2016, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The fight was pegged against McGregor from the start as it was set at 170 pounds at Welterweight.
He ultimately lost the battle against Diaz in the second round, for his first defeat in the UFC. “The Notorious” immediately asked for a rematch, backstage to which Kavanagh’s reaction was “Oh… please… Don’t…” afraid of the clear mismatch between the fighters.
Kavanagh explained how Diaz is “a terrifying individual” but McGregor wouldn’t have any of it adding “But, he was not letting that go”
He got his rematch against Diaz, at the same weight he faced him earlier.
A possible rematch against Khabib Nurmagomedov?
Conor McGregor reportedly spent around $300,000 on his training camp to prepare for his fight against Diaz. That’s how serious The Irishman gets when he loses.
Kavanagh continues “4 months later, he fought the exact same guy…” and came out as a champion. Conor McGregor took his revenge against Nate Diaz at UFC 202. The Notorious won the match on a Decision basis after a 5 round bout.
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After listening to this story, Rogan wonders how McGregor was dealing with his then, recent loss to “The Eagle“. The former Fear Factor show host asks “And that’s where he is right now with Khabib?” to which Kavanagh answers “That’s all I’m hearing from him…” confirming that McGregor desperately wanted a rematch against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Written by
Edited by
Vineet Nandwana