How 10 weeks in Portugal changed Conor McGregor
15dJeff Wagenheim
9dMarc Raimondi
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McGregor would prefer a long bout over a 60-second knockout vs. Poirier (1:45)
Conor McGregor breaks down his strategy going into his fight with Dustin Poirier and whether he would prefer a long drag out over a quick knockout. (1:45)
CONOR MCGREGOR LAY on the mat of the UFC Octagon looking toward the ceiling, his hands clasped behind his head. It was March 5, 2016, and McGregor s chest was heaving with deep breath after deep breath.
The mixed martial arts superstar had just suffered his first UFC loss, a second-round submission defeat against Nate Diaz. As he stared up at the lights inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and UFC 196 came to a close, McGregor knew why he succumbed.
McGregor vs Poirier 2: Is Conor McGregor ready to dominate UFC again?
By Peter CarrollMMA journalist
UFC 257: McGregor v Poirier
Venue: Fight Island, Abu Dhabi
Date: Sunday, 24 January
Time: Main card from 03:00 GMT
Coverage: Follow live text commentary from 03:00 GMT and listen to live radio commentary of McGregor s fight on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport website and app from 05:00 GMT.
UFC superstar Conor McGregor makes his first trip to the octagon in a year on Saturday when he takes on American Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi.
The Irishman, 32, was last in action when he beat Donald Cerrone inside 40 seconds last January.
Conor McGregor s regular diet when he s in camp Good complex carbohydrates. Good micro elements your herbs, basil, oregano. All these things are incorporated into the diet as a whole. We have a great balanced diet. From multiple protein sources, multiple carbohydrate sources of wholesome foods. And that s the key.
Kennedy isn t a fan of placing his clients on overly-restrictive diets, adding: I hear people these days, they re focused on one food or two or three foods. The key is to get nutrients from all foods. And that s what we incorporate and that s what we do.
McGregor s muscle-bound physique has reduced ever so slightly over the last few weeks, although he doesn t look drained or devoid of glycogen.
Conor McGregor could conceivably return to the featherweight division, according to his nutritionist Tristin Kennedy.
McGregor is currently gearing up for a 155-pound lightweight contest with Dustin Poirier, which will headline the UFC 257 card on January 23. He’s also recently competed in the 170-pound welterweight division. Yet the Irishman’s UFC career began in the 145-pound featherweight division, where he ultimately captured the title with a blistering, first-round knockout of Jose Aldo.
While McGregor seems to perform best at lightweight, where he doesn’t have to endure an extreme weight cut, Kennedy believes the Irishman could return to the featherweight division though he doesn’t want to see it happen himself.
Image via @thenotoriousmma on Instagram
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor is in the best shape of his professional career, according to his nutritionist Tristin Kennedy.
McGregor is slated to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 257 on January 23, when he’ll take on fellow lightweight contender.
Heading into the fight, Kennedy has been working extremely closely with McGregor, and has been very impressed by the Irish MMA stars efforts to get into tip-top shape. In fact, Kennedy says the consensus inside McGregor’s inner circle is that he’s never been in better shape.
Kennedy opened up on McGregor’s physical condition in an interview with ESPN’s Marc Raimondi.