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Official Conor McGregor thread (part 2). Read warning in 1st post

El Guapo!

The last thread was nearing the 10k post limit so here's part 2.

The same rules as the last thread apply here. People seem to have strong opinions either way when it comes to McGregor and threads here tend to get a bit heated from time to time. Please keep it civil and discuss all things Conor in a mature way.
Any name-calling, trolling, baiting, or being a general ass-hat will earn you a ban from the thread and possibly the forum.
If you have an issue with a post, please use the report post function. Any off topic posts will be deleted.
Any "Do you even train Bro?" or "I'm an mma fan longer than you" type posts are not permitted either. They only make you look like a fool and as a result, everyone hates you. Yes everyone.

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sonofenoch

How good a boxer could he have been if he never had gotten in MMA.....would we have been talking about him taking on Mayweather legitimately? ie would he have been in the Mayweather/Manny class at that weight?

DeVore

I know nothing about BJJ... its like showing my dog calculus.

Someone asked a few pages back why his boxing is so good and if it was because he started with boxing classes. Here's my take on it from my experience of Muay Thai.
I think it would be foolish to think anything other than that having a background in boxing is going to provide him with good boxing skills. But traditional boxing is a very very different beast from Muay Thai, which is different again from MMA. In boxing you cant get kicked, your concern is all for upper body damage and mostly for covering the temples and chin. Remember they are fighting with 10oz gloves, not 4oz which makes a bigger difference when considering body blows. In Muay Thai you can use your legs as leg defence/offence and cant be taken down. This changes things from traditional boxing fundamentally, hence the very different stances and guards between the two combat sports.

MMA changes the stance/guard again even further. Boxing guard takes a "protect the head at all costs" approach, Muay Thai also protects the head but has to consider kicks as well. MMA guard tends to be relatively low to defend take downs.

In terms of stance, they are all looking for angles of course but in Boxing you can stand in front of your opponent and "bob-and-weave" trading blows. Do that in MMA and you are asking to get kicked or taken down. In MT and MMA you also need to be ready to launch legs kicks to keep your opponent concerned about them and of course to defend leg kicks. So the stance is altered to take that into account.

Right, phew, that was the basics and with that out of the way, why is Mcg's stand up so good? Its two things imho. His head movement, and his range awareness.

His head movement is ungodly. Its actually sick to watch. Go here: https://youtu.be/uOTpaJO73oc?t=265 , watch him slip Buschingers power right cross. he doesn't lean back (which many people would either instinctively out of fear or to buy them selves just a fraction more time/space to avoid the punch). Instead he leans his right shoulder FORWARD and his head to his left, corkscrewing his body into a perfect position to unleash that left hook.
Because Conor moved his head like that, he's ready to launch a counter punch VERY quickly. Buschinger hasn't got his right hand back before the left is landing on his exposed chin (the fact that Buschinger leaned into the right is just gravy too!).
If Conor had reared back Buschinger would have had time to get his guard back up. The distance wouldn't have been so perfect for the hook either as Conor would have had his weight going backwards. His head movement bought him that punch, the same as in the Aldo fight though that's not so clear cut a work of art!

That head movement is pure boxing pedigree and its a lot of why McG is killing it in MMA stand up. He doesn't have to concern himself with defence like most do. His head will get itself out of trouble leaving his hands much more prepared for offence. (look at the start of that video, he always has that left loaded "like a piston" as the commentator says. He's not using it to defend, he's ready to fire at will).
This in turn makes his opponents wary of throwing offence since they get punished for it and at times seem to be trying to hit a ghost. Cant be fun! Look how much trouble he got into with Diaz when he lost his ability to quickly duck and weave because he was gassed, he ate shot after shot because his defense is very much in his head movement, not in a traditional guard.

In addition to this is his range and distance instinct. He's a tallish guy with a decent reach. But its not like Jon Jones or anything, hes only a little taller than the 145ers. What makes him seem so much better is that he judges the exact distance needed to clip his opponent while giving his opponent the least amount of distance and TIME to hit him back. He is in, punch, out. The punch is already happening when he is moving in and he's gone before an opponent can launch a counter (witness how many of his opponents flail wildly after getting that left straight, there is nothing there for them to hit.)

His speed in covering the distance and his crazy unerring accuracy with the piston left are big plusses but speed and accuracy are no good if you have moved in too far (too cramped and allows smaller opponents to be in striking range) or not far enough (swing-and-a-miss!). He puts himself exactly at the right range and nothing more. That piston accuracy, range management and speed of movement in and out are also classic boxer elements (the latter perhaps not so much but the other two for sure!).

So, in summary, his head movement unleashes his offence because he can avoid damage without a traditional guard. His accuracy and range management mean that either as a counter punch or a initial attack, his offence is very very effective. His opponents aren't going to want to launch offence which is unlikely to land when hands are needed back to defend his assault. (Look at the Siver fight for that, Siver nearly stopped throwing anything because he was getting lit up when he did!)
That's where McG's boxing pedigree is paying dividends in an MMA scenario. Just my 2c.

Subcomandante Marcos

BOHtox wrote: »

I think in between Siver and Aldo (UFC 189) Conor was supposedly going to enter a BJJ tournament but Dana ruled it out iirc in case he got injured.

He was going to enter the european no-gi open in Italy.

BOHtox

wonderfullife wrote: »

Awarding a Brown Belt after 8 years rolling can hardly be criticized by anybody. Then again the casual MMA fan doesn't realize Conor has been grinding away at this a full decade.

What doesn't help Conor is that there's limited BJJ tournament footage of him and he didn't exactly have one of his best rolls in the footage that exists.

Doubt he'd have the time or inclination but it'd be great to see him attempt a BJJ tournament in the next few years.

I think in between Siver and Aldo (UFC 189) Conor was supposedly going to enter a BJJ tournament but Dana ruled it out iirc in case he got injured.

deadanonymau5

wonderfullife wrote: »

He eats in Yamamori a lot apparently! There's pics of him with random people in there on 3 different days in the last 4 days.

Where's our charity guy gone above? There's the answer pal! Sit in Yamamori with a pair of gloves and a pen and you're sorted!

He loves Nandos and Rustic Stone as well... spotted in both places and McG said it himself

Mellor

darced wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

New belt jitters?

darced

This post has been deleted.

wonderfullife

Mellor wrote: »

Yeah that one. It's a fairly uneventful match. But nobody is going the distance with high level purple belts without being a fairly jiu jitsu themselves.

It's worth pointing out that the other guy didn't actively score himself. It was 0-0 in until the 5 minute mark. Conor passed his guard, and he turtled to prevent Conor scoring. when Conor went for the guillotine, the ref gave the other guy two point for the "sweep".
If you listen you can hear what John Kavanagh thinks of that. :pac:

Fully agree, it's a very different aspect of jiu jitsu. Which is why some guys transition better than others.
Do you have a link to that Joe Rogan episode? Haven't seen that one

sure mate.

Discussion starts at 1:38:30

Rogan is stoned and keeps calling Ryan Gordon (instead of Gordon Ryan). But Eddie gets so excited about Demian Maia it's really worth a watch for any jiu jitsu fans he gives a pretty good analysis. There's about 15-20 mins worth of stuff there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gakDsVOEf0

TimRiggins

JustTheOne wrote: »

Think it was after the nate defeat.

Said his bjj is excellent just nate is top class.

He did after the Nate fight but this was well before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlxaaGs-tHQ

this is him talking about it on the JRE in April 2015 but he said it on Chael's before.

JustTheOne

TimRiggins wrote: »

Wasn't it Eddie Bravo was was praising Conor's BJJ on Chael Sonnen's podcast? Saying he was very high level and was well on his way too being a black belt. This was before the Siver fight IIRC. I'm actually very interested to see that if Eddie does take him down what his guard will be like. Didn't use it in the Mendes fight really.

Think it was after the nate defeat.

Said his bjj is excellent just nate is top class.

TimRiggins

Wasn't it Eddie Bravo was was praising Conor's BJJ on Chael Sonnen's podcast? Saying he was very high level and was well on his way too being a black belt. This was before the Siver fight IIRC. I'm actually very interested to see that if Eddie does take him down what his guard will be like. Didn't use it in the Mendes fight really.

Mellor

wonderfullife wrote: »

Yeah this one. Nothing terrible in it. Just nothing to write home about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYL79_WeUDU

Yeah that one. It's a fairly uneventful match. But nobody is going the distance with high level purple belts without being a fairly jiu jitsu themselves.

It's worth pointing out that the other guy didn't actively score himself. It was 0-0 in until the 5 minute mark. Conor passed his guard, and he turtled to prevent Conor scoring. when Conor went for the guillotine, the ref gave the other guy two point for the "sweep".
If you listen you can hear what John Kavanagh thinks of that. :pac:

Eddie Bravo was saying that no-gi Jiu Jitsu should be considered a completely different sport from MMA Jiu Jitsu.

The ability to punch, kick, elbow, knee etc fundamentally changes it. He's got a fair point.

I loved the segment on Rogan where Eddie was explaining the mastery of Maia's transitions from top-half to side-control to the back. He nearly had an orgasm watching Maia take Condits back without ever fully passing his guard.

Fully agree, it's a very different aspect of jiu jitsu. Which is why some guys transition better than others.
Do you have a link to that Joe Rogan episode? Haven't seen that one

wonderfullife

Mellor wrote: »

That's the fight I thought it was. He made a joke about geting a brown belt for winning without grappling.

You might be thinking of his comp footage from Nogi euros at purple. It's done the rounds a few times over the last few years.

Assuming we are talking about the same match. I don't think there was anything particular bad about that match. He didn't win, and there was no highlight reel stuff. But he had good base and narrowly lost, by sweep IIRC. His opponent was/is a full competitor in BJJ.

Yeah this one. Nothing terrible in it. Just nothing to write home about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYL79_WeUDU

Eddie Bravo was saying that no-gi Jiu Jitsu should be considered a completely different sport from MMA Jiu Jitsu.

The ability to punch, kick, elbow, knee etc fundamentally changes it. He's got a fair point.

I loved the segment on Rogan where Eddie was explaining the mastery of Maia's transitions from top-half to side-control to the back. He nearly had an orgasm watching Maia take Condits back without ever fully passing his guard.

We've so little to judge Conors MMA jiu-jitsu but as Brian Ortega pointed out you have to be really, really, really good to execute any sort of modified X-Guard Sweep on Nate Diaz in the heat of battle.

I really feel he'd have an advantage over Eddie if it goes to the ground early on in the fight. A scenario i could see happening is Eddie taking him down and Conor sweeping him with time on the clock and i think he'd surprise a lot of people.

Dillon seemed to hint that Conor is particularly good at a few transitions.

I would worry if Conor doesn't show a bit more from his back than the Mendes fight. It's one thing letting Mendes lay on top of you landing the odd elbow and another letting Eddie do it, if he lands a bomb it's trouble.

Mellor

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

For some reason I was certain Conor got his Borwn Belt around the same time Paddy got his. I can definitely remember him wearing a purple belt not too long ago. But two years go quick so...

That's the fight I thought it was. He made a joke about geting a brown belt for winning without grappling.

You might be thinking of his comp footage from Nogi euros at purple. It's done the rounds a few times over the last few years.

wonderfullife wrote: »

What doesn't help Conor is that there's limited BJJ tournament footage of him and he didn't exactly have one of his best rolls in the footage that exists.

Doubt he'd have the time or inclination but it'd be great to see him attempt a BJJ tournament in the next few years.

Assuming we are talking about the same match. I don't think there was anything particular bad about that match. He didn't win, and there was no highlight reel stuff. But he had good base and narrowly lost, by sweep IIRC. His opponent was/is a full competitor in BJJ.

wonderfullife

Awarding a Brown Belt after 8 years rolling can hardly be criticized by anybody. Then again the casual MMA fan doesn't realize Conor has been grinding away at this a full decade.

What doesn't help Conor is that there's limited BJJ tournament footage of him and he didn't exactly have one of his best rolls in the footage that exists.

Doubt he'd have the time or inclination but it'd be great to see him attempt a BJJ tournament in the next few years.

Subcomandante Marcos

Mellor wrote: »

This was a few months ago. Just after the UFC 196.
RDA tried to give him stick over how he tied his belt, clutching at straws. But a lot of people lapped it up. 2 strip white belts going on like they could beat the "fake" brown belts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BE-oOUTKmCZ/

I think he got his brown belt in 2014.

For some reason I was certain Conor got his Borwn Belt around the same time Paddy got his. I can definitely remember him wearing a purple belt not too long ago. But two years go quick so...

edit: you're right. Apparently JK gave him his brown belt in the cage after the Poirier fight.

Mellor

JJayoo wrote: »

I doubt McG trains in the Gi at all these days

This was a few months ago. Just after the UFC 196.
RDA tried to give him stick over how he tied his belt, clutching at straws. But a lot of people lapped it up. 2 strip white belts going on like they could beat the "fake" brown belts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BE-oOUTKmCZ/

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

He does. Otherwise he wouldn't have got his brown belt at the start of the year. Himself and Paddy are regulars at Johns advanced programme classes.

I think he got his brown belt in 2014.

wonderfullife

Outlaw Pete wrote: »

Was a guy with him but I didn't recognize him tbh.

Lots around taking snaps so might be something up on Twitter.

He eats in Yamamori a lot apparently! There's pics of him with random people in there on 3 different days in the last 4 days.

Where's our charity guy gone above? There's the answer pal! Sit in Yamamori with a pair of gloves and a pen and you're sorted!

Outlaw Pete

deadanonymau5 wrote: »

Was he with any other fighters? Saw a pic of him with a waitress in Yamamori on LovinDublin or one of the shi7e sites. Maybe she's the new love interest... since everyone seems to be speculating :pac:

Was a guy with him but I didn't recognize him tbh.

Lots around taking snaps so might be something up on Twitter.

Subcomandante Marcos

JJayoo wrote: »

I doubt McG trains in the Gi at all these days

He does. Otherwise he wouldn't have got his brown belt at the start of the year. Himself and Paddy are regulars at Johns advanced programme classes.

JJayoo

KeepTheFaith wrote: »

I wonder will JK find it difficult to decide when to award Conor his blackbelt? It must be hard to judge him on a purely BJJ basis given that he watches all elements of his fighting in such detail. Also when he's awarded it, it's bound to attract a decent amount of media attention and no doubt a lot of criticism as his ground game is used as a stick to beat him with.

I doubt McG trains in the Gi at all these days

deadanonymau5

Outlaw Pete wrote: »

Me with half a second to think: "Alright, Conor.. best of luck in New York, man".

Conor: "Thanks so much, brother, appreciate that!".

So, eh, yeah.. I was talking to Conor McGregor in town earlier :cool:

Was he with any other fighters? Saw a pic of him with a waitress in Yamamori on LovinDublin or one of the shi7e sites. Maybe she's the new love interest... since everyone seems to be speculating :pac:

Mellor

wonderfullife wrote: »

Speaking of Dillon, glad to see him back to good form in the Pan-Ams. 3 straight guillotines between the classes and a slick kneebar.

Gordon Ryan chirped in with some sort of congratulations but it's hard to know if he was being sarcastic as he pointed out he wasn't eligible to compete and Garry Tonon was injured. And that they should be paid to compete against Dillon.

Garry and Gordon are in a different weight division, so they wouldn't have affected his gold in his weight class. Possibly the absolute. But who knows? Garry was runner up in the absolute to Diniz (Danis' teammate) last year.

The IBJJF ruleset hinders the Garry and Gordon more than others, the rules take away some of their biggest assets, but Garry already has gold. IBJJF really have to let Gordon compete at blackbelt soon.

hendo111 wrote: »

Gary Tonon still has Danis's leg on his trophy cabinet Dillon cant compete with Gordo and Tonon,he's been training boxing lately so mma is where the future lies for him.

He won double gold last weekend at No-Gi pan. And fights big ass Jackson Souza at Polaris this month.

KeepTheFaith wrote: »

I wonder will JK find it difficult to decide when to award Conor his blackbelt? It must be hard to judge him on a purely BJJ basis given that he watches all elements of his fighting in such detail. Also when he's awarded it, it's bound to attract a decent amount of media attention and no doubt a lot of criticism as his ground game is used as a stick to beat him with.

I'm sure he'll see Conor train and roll in a pure BJJ setting often regularly. He'll have no issue assessing it, and I doubt he'll care what random cheeto-fingers think on Sherdog.

StringerBell

Conor seems to be a solid brown belt.

hendo111

JK wont care about the media,when someone gets a belt of Kavanagh they 100% deserve it I know that from the BJJ Circuit,I know a few guys from different SBG affiliates and I can genuinely say just to even get a blue belt off JK you need to be well rounded,Some coaches (even my ex Brazilian) would promote people to keep them interested and paying fee's imo,If he hands Conor a black belt (he wont for another few years) then it will be warranted,

These fighters who slate his grappling,they are complete rookies in striking if McGregor spent his time grappling he'd be on their level or higher,not doing bad for a white belt useless grappler as they label him,about to win his 5th world title fight.

[Deleted User]

I wonder will JK find it difficult to decide when to award Conor his blackbelt? It must be hard to judge him on a purely BJJ basis given that he watches all elements of his fighting in such detail. Also when he's awarded it, it's bound to attract a decent amount of media attention and no doubt a lot of criticism as his ground game is used as a stick to beat him with.

ardinn

Outlaw Pete wrote: »

He was walking along Sth Great Georges St... went into that Japanese restaurant opposite Dunnes which I can't spell but sounds like that Michael McDonald song.

Yamamori - Go in and ask for a Spicy Asian - hot - the only cure for it is another one! After a while - well...........

Outlaw Pete

J Mysterio wrote: »

Where were yis?

He was walking along Sth Great Georges St... went into that Japanese restaurant opposite Dunnes which I can't spell but sounds like that Michael McDonald song.

J Mysterio

Boom_Bap wrote: »

His stage name is spelled with a Y, it's an I on his birth cert.....yes, I have seen it.

Thanks... I think?

Boom_Bap

J Mysterio wrote: »

Spelt his name wrong too?

His stage name is spelled with a Y, it's an I on his birth cert.....yes, I have seen it.