The MMA Coahing Credentials of Ido Portal

WarZ

As we all know Ido Portal has been steadily increasing his role in McGregor's training.




Ido Portal describes himself as a movement expert. From what I can gather he has never trained a top level MMA athlete before yet here he is leading a training session.



He himself has stated that;

If Conor lost - I would be the man to take the blame as I am the new factor in the equation and doing things differently. I can take that and as they say - 'if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen' but... He won. I don't want to take the credit for that. Conor is his own man

And also stated that in regards to his role in Connor's training...

They are a small chain of decisions, decisions that must be made right. And I was a part of those decisions. What to take, when to do, what to do, what to not do. It’s a huge part, what to not do in training, in a session. Keeping them fresh, keeping them in tune, keeping the body very soft, which is very misunderstood.

But that's not all, he goes into more depth regarding his role;

The movement teacher must be a dancer. The movement teacher must be a strength and conditioning coach. The movement teacher must be an acrobat. The movement teacher must be a therapist. It’s a lot of work and it’s a lot of study into these fields, learning to see the common things and to see the important things and to let go of the less important things."

He also spars with Connor using a big stick. Apparently this is more useful than actually sparring with actual training partners.



The guy considers himself a bit of a philosopher

'Movement complexity is the reason we became human,' he says in a promotional video. 'The reason for our brain development and our departure and ascent to the top of the food chain is related to movement complexity.'

Last weekend Ido Portal cornered Conor McGregor, barking out instructions as Conor began to lose. In the weeks leading up to the fight he was doing pad work with Conor. From what I can see this guy is a waffley Hipster that has McGregor in his clutches.

Again the video





What are your opinions on Ido Portal and his 'movement' philosophy?

DrumSteve

it's mostly snake oil.

dashoonage

"Use the force Conor! Use the force"

Irishcrx

I don't think he can be blamed for the loss , but I think Mcgregors coaching team might want to take a look the level of involvement he is having and that the time might be better spent elsewhere , like sparring with high level boxers or working on ground skill improvement, maybe even outside SBG. Do I think Ido Portal is a waffling hipster...yes I do. But again , it's Conor and his team who are buying it.

Diaz said something that pretty much hit the nail on the head either before or after the fight, have to admit it's pretty funny as well.

' I spent my training time fighting top level fighters, he spends it playing touch butt with some goofball in a park'

FollowMyWay

He brings him in 2 weeks before the fight to keep loose and fresh. All his sparring rounds are in the bag and conditioning. I wouldn't considering him as a trainer, just someone brought it to keep him ticking over in fight week.

Carlos Condit also has a 'movement' coach. Most people are over thinking and reaching for some sort of good/bad angle for it. They do some unorthodox stretching and some balance techniques, I don't see the reason people are fussed about it.

The stick and pool noodle is nothing either, I've seen a guy throw a tennis ball at Anderson Silva while he stood against a wall, it's virtually the same thing.

RedemptionZ

He's only with him when he's finishing his camp to stay loose and not get injured. And possibly for publicity too.

He spars with real fighters. You know this. Don't be obtuse. Being hit with that noodle is very common in boxing, only its done with a towel or something of that variety. Or they throw balls at the person and they have to dodge them. Helps with your reactions.

WarZ

I think your underestimating his role in the camp. Read his own quotes, he is very much involved in all aspects of Conor's training and was in his corner on Saturday night!

Devastator

WarZ wrote: »

I think your underestimating his role in the camp. Read his own quotes, he is very much involved in all aspects of Conor's training and was in his corner on Saturday night!

BS!

Gamebred

Apart from himself,the only person I'd blame is his strength and conditioning coaches,clearly had no cardio even allowing for the bombs he threw.

RedemptionZ

Gamebred wrote: »

Apart from himself,the only person I'd blame is his strength and conditioning coaches,clearly had no cardio even allowing for the bombs he threw.

Surely there's better S&C coaches out there that he could hire... maybe an ex premier league one or someone from the NFL. I know that nationality has nothing to do with ability to be a coach but surely there are elite guys he could afford to get the best out of him and these elite guys won't be Irish.

WarZ

Ido Portal has himself said that he is in charge of Conor's strength and conditioning

Gamebred

WarZ wrote: »

Ido Portal has himself said that he is in charge of Conor's strength and conditioning

Head over to the wwe forum you're boring us now,ta.

RedemptionZ

WarZ wrote: »

Ido Portal has himself said that he is in charge of Conor's strength and conditioning

Just like Steven Seagal taught Anderson Silva how to do a front kick.

WarZ

RedemptionZ wrote: »

Just like Steven Seagal taught Anderson Silva how to do a front kick.

Well someone's lying. Ido Portal has explicitly said he is doing Conor's strength and conditioning work, he was in his corner on the weekend with John Kavanagh and Roddy. He has a much bigger role than you give him credit for.

RedemptionZ

WarZ wrote: »

Well someone's lying. Ido Portal has explicitly said he is doing Conor's strength and conditioning work

Steven Seagal also explicitly said he taught Anderson the kick he used to beat Vitor Belfort. There's a post fight interview with him. I'm sure you can find it on youtube if you look. Sometimes people lie :eek:

Do you think the bulk of Conor's S&C is done in the last two weeks of a fight? Do you have any knowledge or experience of what happens in a full camp?

WarZ

RedemptionZ wrote: »

Steven Seagal also explicitly said he taught Anderson the kick he used to beat Vitor Belfort. There's a post fight interview with him. I'm sure you can find it on youtube if you look. Sometimes people lie :eek:

Do you think the bulk of Conor's S&C is done in the last two weeks of a fight? Do you have any knowledge or experience of what happens in a full camp?

Ido Portal was in Conor's corner. He is given unprecedented access to McGregor. He doesn't just join up two weeks before the fight anymore, he is constantly around McGregor these days, making him punch candles and mimicking animal movements.

RedemptionZ

WarZ wrote: »

Ido Portal was in Conor's corner. He is given unprecedented access to McGregor. He doesn't just join up two weeks before the fight anymore, he is constantly around McGregor these days, making him punch candles and mimicking animal movements.

Ido Portal was in Sydney 3 weeks ago. Check his instagram. Please stop making things up

WarZ

RedemptionZ wrote: »

Ido Portal was in Sydney 3 weeks ago. Check his instagram. Please stop making things up

There also a photo of him training McGregor 8 weeks ago. So I guess im not making anything up.

Devastator

this thread

RedemptionZ

WarZ wrote: »

There also a photo of him training McGregor 8 weeks ago. So I guess im not making anything up.

And here he is in Australia 5 weeks ago.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBD4XRvFJZb/?taken-by=portal.ido&hl=en

He landed in LA 2 weeks ago

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCHC6wqlJbm/?taken-by=portal.ido&hl=en

So how did McGregor cope without his S&C coach for those three weeks? Or could it be that he doesn't actually have an important role?

WarZ

Great contribution. I am trying to have an actual conversation about the people McGregor has in his training corner and you go post a childish response like that. You're obviously a fan of Ido Portal that's fine.

WarZ

RedemptionZ wrote: »

And here he is in Australia 5 weeks ago.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBD4XRvFJZb/?taken-by=portal.ido&hl=en

He landed in LA 2 weeks ago

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCHC6wqlJbm/?taken-by=portal.ido&hl=en

So how did McGregor cope without his S&C coach for those three weeks? Or could it be that he doesn't actually have an important role?

So he was with McGregor in US 8 weeks ago, then went to Australia 5 weeks ago then went back to US to McGregor then flew back to Australia 3 weeks ago then flew back to US 2 weeks ago.

A lot of constant traveling over very long distances for someone who has a 'minor' role in the camp.

Devastator

WarZ wrote: »

Great contribution. I am trying to have an actual conversation about the people McGregor has in his training corner and you go post a childish response like that. You're obviously a fan of Ido Portal that's fine.

WarZ wrote: »

Great contribution. I am trying to have an actual conversation about the people McGregor has in his training corner and you go post a childish response like that. You're obviously a fan of Ido Portal that's fine.

Thank you, however I don't think it was a "Great contribution" as I hastily posted it without considering the facts that cow dung actually is of some use whereas this thread....not so much!

John_D80

Best thing I've seen on this thread is the ad for 10 onion rings for €2 in burger king.

I don't usually eat fast food but dammit, I do love a tasty onion ring.

LaGlisse

How has WarZ not been banned yet, pure ****stirring. He seems obsessed with McGregor in a bad way

RedemptionZ

WarZ wrote: »

So he was with McGregor in US 8 weeks ago, then went to Australia 5 weeks ago then went back to US to McGregor then flew back to Australia 3 weeks ago then flew back to US 2 weeks ago.

A lot of constant traveling over very long distances for someone who has a 'minor' role in the camp.

No. He lives in LA. He went to Australia for 3 weeks. 5-3=2 Quite simple. This is pretty pathetic. Really reaching. If you have any concrete proof he has a big influence in McGregors training I'll respond. If not, consider me out of this thread.

gallag

WarZ wrote: »

Great contribution. I am trying to have an actual conversation about the people McGregor has in his training corner and you go post a childish response like that. You're obviously a fan of Ido Portal that's fine.

You will learn, negativity about Connor will not be tolerated!!!! Good thread, good points and plenty of evidence and quotes but you shall be ridiculed and made to feel small for having the audacity to critic McGregor!!!!!

Devastator

John_D80 wrote: »

Best thing I've seen on this thread is the ad for 10 onion rings for €2 in burger king.

I don't usually eat fast food but dammit, I do love a tasty onion ring.

:mad::mad: Ive got ad blocker turned on :mad::mad:

LaGlisse wrote: »

How has WarZ not been banned yet, pure ****stirring. He seems obsessed with McGregor in a bad way

As a newbie he must still be playing his "forum charter exemption" card

WarZ

RedemptionZ wrote: »

No. He lives in LA. He went to Australia for 3 weeks. 5-3=2 Quite simple. This is pretty pathetic. Really reaching. If you have any concrete proof he has a big influence in McGregors training I'll respond. If not, consider me out of this thread.

And where does McGregor spend most of his time? Yep you guessed it.

He was training McGregor and Gunnar on a beach in LA 8 weeks ago, there's photos on his instagram

Utopia Parkway

Portal only comes in when the hard training is already done and they are scaling back any contact work as the fight gets closer. He may pop in from time to time but he's not really a big part of any fight preparation just because he pops up on Embedded on the week of the fight.

WarZ

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Portal only comes in when the hard training is already done and they are scaling back any contact work as the fight gets closer. He may pop in from time to time but he's not really a big part of any fight preparation just because he pops up on Embedded on the week of the fight.

Why was he in Conor's corner barking instructions on Saturday?

Devastator

WarZ wrote: »

Why was he in Conor's corner barking instructions on Saturday?

Maybe he was hypnotised to be a dog?

If not he really needs to see a doctor if he barks

WarZ

I'm sorry but something just doesn't add up. If he only spends 2 weeks downtime with McGregor then he wouldn't be in McGregor's corner alongside Kavanagh and Roddy.

Utopia Parkway

WarZ wrote: »

I'm sorry but something just doesn't add up. If he only spends 2 weeks downtime with McGregor then he wouldn't be in McGregor's corner alongside Kavanagh and Roddy.

Hardly matters who's the 3rd man in the corner. Often it's just someone to hold the stool and the sponge. Often another fighter from the same camp. The coach and the trainer will be the ones inside the cage in between rounds giving advice.

WarZ

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Hardly matters who's the 3rd man in the corner. Often it's just someone to hold the stool and the sponge. Often another fighter from the same camp. The coach and the trainer will be the ones inside the cage in between rounds giving advice.

He was shouting instructions to Conor during the fight.

Devastator

WarZ wrote: »

He was shouting instructions to Conor during the fight.

ffs I was there & there were about 10k+ people shouting instructions at both fighters during the fight

do you consider me 1 of McGregor's trainers now too? :pac:

WarZ

Devastator wrote: »

ffs I was there & there were about 10k+ people shouting instructions at both fighters during the fight

do you consider me 1 of McGregor's trainers now too? :pac:

Were you in Conor's corner?

floorpie

I think he needs to go, but what do I know.

One thing I do know is that when a fight is changed from someone like RDA to a lanky boxer like Nate, you should probably be putting the hippy stuff aside and start preparing for a completely different fight. As far as I'm aware, Conor wasn't training with JK and Roddy during much of the time since the opponent was changed, but was training with Ido.

I also personally think it's cringey, and reflects poorly on Conor, for this guy to be posting about "busting heads" during weigh ins, or posting videos of him teaching Conor a kick as if he has a clue. Gtfo.

mdwexford

Here's his last contribution to the rugby forum.

Hopefully the mods do similar here.

WarZ wrote: »

Wit, great grammar and topical jokes. You truly are a beacon of the rugby forum connachta

Mod: Banned for persistent trolling

WarZ

floorpie wrote: »

I think he needs to go, but what do I know.

One thing I do know is that when a fight is changed from someone like RDA to a lanky boxer like Nate, you should probably be putting the hippy stuff aside and start preparing for a completely different fight. As far as I'm aware, Conor wasn't training with JK and Roddy during much of the time since the opponent was changed, but was training with Ido.

I also personally think it's cringey, and reflects poorly on Conor, for this guy to be posting about "busting heads" during weigh ins, or posting videos of him teaching Conor a kick as if he has a clue. Gtfo.

That's actually a very valid point.

BOHtox

WarZ wrote: »

I think your underestimating his role in the camp. Read his own quotes, he is very much involved in all aspects of Conor's training and was in his corner on Saturday night!

Apparently Ido chooses Conor's steaks for him too. If you needed any further proof he's too involved...

WarZ

The jig is up

http://www.mma.tv/ufc/diaz-brothers-mock-team-mcgregor/

John_D80

Warz, your posting in this thread reminds me of this......

Mellor

WarZ wrote: »

I think your underestimating his role in the camp. Read his own quotes, he is very much involved in all aspects of Conor's training and was in his corner on Saturday night!

I think you are overestimating his role tbh.
His quotes are vague philosophical waffle.

Ido has developed excellant high level movement and flexibility training protocols. He is also very expensive, and the same stuff can be gotten for free, or for a fraction of the cost.

Cost aside, he is very good at what he does.
He isn't an MMA coach, and he isn't coaching Conor.

WarZ wrote: »

Ido Portal describes himself as a movement expert. From what I can gather he has never trained a top level MMA athlete before yet here he is leading a training session.

That's not a MMA training session. It looks like a mobility warm up.
I believe the first time that was sen was actually John Kavanagh recording it from the house. :cool:
https://www.instagram.com/p/_DLSLOAqP-/

He also said;

https://twitter.com/john_kavanagh/status/675218576291315712

He himself has stated that;


But that's not all, he goes into more depth regarding his role;

The movement teacher must be a dancer. The movement teacher must be a strength and conditioning coach. The movement teacher must be an acrobat. The movement teacher must be a therapist.

Which part do you disagree with? Have you done much mobility/flexibility training?
It involves a huge amount of strength tbh, flexibility is not have long or stretch muscles, its having muscle that are strengthed in end range. I would have thought the link with dancing, acrobatics and gymnastics was obvious.
Ditto therapy, that sort of protocol is very tough on the body, and even a casual practitioner would have at least a basic manual therapy knowledge.

Conor was into manual therapy, foam rolling, flexibilty etc long before Ido showed up.

He also spars with Connor using a big stick. Apparently this is more useful than actually sparring with actual training partners.

Do you think Conor is doing that to replace stand up sparring?
Why do you think that?

Last weekend Ido Portal cornered Conor McGregor, barking out instructions as Conor began to lose.

WarZ wrote: »

Why was he in Conor's corner barking instructions on Saturday?

What instructions did he give?
What instructions did John give?

WarZ

Bump

Axel doesn't want discussion of the Ido Pothole in other threads so please direct all your posts here.

Mod Edit:

Its Axwell not Axel and you are banned for a week for ignoring what I said and your persistent trolling. Keep it up and the next one will be much longer.

Nathan G

This is a random comment but Ido saying our rise to the top of the food chain is down to our movement is in my opinion wrong. Our movement will never be as good as other animals. Our brain however is the deciding factor. Back to the topic. I think Ido is a new trend that was used to bring more publicity. on top of that fighting is pretty much entirely movement based so having someone who looks at movement in many different ways can be helpful.

Also i doubt Ido was allowed have any major say in connors fight training. . if he did than connors couch is to blame for not monitoring the situation.

Cathy.C

Nathan G wrote: »

Also i doubt Ido was allowed have any major say in connors fight training. . if he did than connors couch is to blame for not monitoring the situation.

I think a lot of it came off the back of the Embedded episode where Ido is seen (on the 26th of Feb) helping motivate Conor to do muscle-ups on rings, which was later called out by at least one mma sports scientist as being inappropriate so close to the fight giving how taxing they are (according to him anyway).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbM8rlVVuoY

Not a fan of this Ido movement bollox myself either (think Nick Diaz sums the guy up well here) but I'd agree that if something takes place in training which isn't appropriate then it's Kavanagh's fault not really anyone's elses given that at the end of the day he is the coach. I thought it was interesting to note that in the Win or Learn interview Conor said (when emphasizing how on point he now is compared to 196):

"I'm very fight orientated now, I'm not swinging out of gymnastic rings and I certainly won't be on fight week.

"Everything is specific to the fight.

"John is overlooking every session and managing every session".

That last line to me is very telling as it implies the contrary was the case for 196.

Nathan G

Its going to be an interesting fight, I still think diaz will take it but it will prove to be a hard fought one.

slicus ricus

Cathy.C wrote: »

Not a fan of this Ido bollox myself either (think Nick Diaz sums the guy up well here) but I'd agree that if something takes place in training which isn't appropriate then it's Kavanagh's fault not really anyone's elses given that at the end of the day he is the coach.

I remember thinking at the time how strange it was that Kavanagh and Roddy traveled over to the US only a few days before the fight while Conor had been in LA and Vegas for a few weeks training with Ido and doing his own thing. I'm pretty sure I arrived in Vegas as a fan going to the fight and the build up before Kavanagh and Roddy arrived in Vegas!

I wonder was it just a case that everyone in the SBG camp was taking Diaz lightly? I can't imagine that they all genuinely thought Ido was the best man for the job of training Conor the week before the fight. I personally have no issue with Ido helping Conor out on movement but his involvement should be limited to just that.

Gamebred

slicus ricus wrote: »

I remember thinking at the time how strange it was that Kavanagh and Roddy traveled over to the US only a few days before the fight while Conor had been in LA and Vegas for a few weeks training with Ido and doing his own thing. I'm pretty sure I arrived in Vegas as a fan going to the fight and the build up before Kavanagh and Roddy arrived in Vegas!

I wonder was it just a case that everyone in the SBG camp was taking Diaz lightly? I can't imagine that they all genuinely thought Ido was the best man for the job of training Conor the week before the fight. I personally have no issue with Ido helping Conor out on movement but his involvement should be limited to just that.

Kavanagh had a heap of fighters on Bamma If I remember correctly so thats why he was still in Dublin.

slicus ricus

Gamebred wrote: »

Kavanagh had a heap of fighters on Bamma If I remember correctly so thats why he was still in Dublin.

It's a strange dilemma alright. What do you do? Go supervise the training of your biggest star in the build up to his UFC fight or supervise the training of most of the rest of the gym in the build up to their fights and be there to corner them on the night? Not a decision I would want to be faced with.