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Conor McGregor Misses Meetup With UFC Legend Royce Gracie as Coach Kavanagh Confirms Irishman Is in Fight Camp for Historic Return Against Michael Chandler

Published 09/03/2023, 2:22 AM EDT

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The measure of a man in his sport is their legacy and impact on the evolution of the game, When Royce Gracie used Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to become the first-ever UFC champion, the perception of which martial art was the most effective changed forever. Similarly when Conor McGregor. used his sharp trash-talking skills to get in the mind of one the world’s greatest, trash talk became the norm. The two game-changers in the sport walked so the rest of the UFC roster could run, and it appears they would’ve had a lovely catch-up if it wasn’t for an ill-timed happenstance.

According to a recent revelation from McGregor’s head coach John Kavanagh, the legendary Royce Gracie was in Ireland- in McGregor’s own Black Forge Inn. However, the BJJ phenom missed out on a chance to share a glass of Forged Irish Stout with the Proper Twelve boss- the reason for which actually might be a relief to the Irishman’s fans.

MMA royalty spotted at Conor McGregor’s bar

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John Kavanagh, a former IBJJF European Open Champion at the purple belt level, has gained widespread recognition for his coaching work with fighters like Conor McGregor and Gunnar Nelson. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first-ever Irish black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). As such his words expressed his awe at meeting Royce Gracie, stating, “@coach_kavanagh surreal night for me. With the first @ufc champ…in the first UFC champ-champs bar.”

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However, he regretted that his pupil could not join him in meeting the BJJ idol who claimed the inaugural UFC title at the very first UFC event on November 12, 1993, at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. The jiu-jitsu black belt competed against three opponents in a single night, following a tournament format. He sealed victory in all three fights through submission, thus altering the course of MMA history permanently.

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But Kavanagh’s explanation for the same is bound to get some buzz going among the fans. The final line of his message read, “Unfortunately, he couldn’t join us but he’s in camp right now.” Fortunately for McGregor’s fans, this means the Irishman is preparing for his return bout against Michael Chandler.

Kavanagh registered his words under an Instagram post that captured the moment when Kavanagh and Gracie met at Conor McGregor’s bar, The Blackforge Inn. To heat things up further, the training camp tidbit has fans excited as footage of Conor McGregor training has also surfaced online.

Conor McGregor shows a new weapon in his arsenal in training footage

McGregor’s online training footage has fueled speculation among fans worldwide. It suggests a high likelihood of a showdown with Michael Chandler, a matchup that has caused massive hype amongst the community. McGregor often hailed as the first-ever UFC “champ-champ,” is renowned for his southpaw stance. And is lethal with his precision left-hand strikes that have led to numerous viral knockouts.

via Imago

However, the recent training clips reveal McGregor working from an orthodox stance, deviating from his signature southpaw style. This adjustment has raised intriguing questions about his strategy.

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The shift in McGregor’s stance during training only intensifies the curiosity surrounding his upcoming fight. Leaving fans eagerly awaiting his next move in the octagon.

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Will McGregor adopt a switch-hitting approach, or will he continue to rely on the southpaw stance when facing Michael Chandler? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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Written by:

Dushyant Patni

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Dushyant Patni is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. He fell in love with MMA at the tender age of fourteen and his appreciation for the craft has led him to become a practitioner, too. With a master's degree in English and an extensive background as a writer and editor, he uses his technical ability to articulate the nuances of the sport.
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Edited by:

Kratika Vajpayee