Trainer reveals that Conor McGregor should only fight again in 2018

Kavanagh (left) with McGregor (center) (Photo: Reproduction Twitter coach_kavanagh)

the return of Conor McGregor to the UFC may only happen in 2018. John Kavanagh, the Irishman's main trainer, revealed that the fighter should not fight again this year, as there are less than four months left until 2017 ends. However, he emphasizes that the unpredictability of Notório could change plans.

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“It's probably too late to think about another fight before the end of the year, because even after his hiatus is over, there's a lot to be planned and executed in training at our level. It's hard to see another fight in 2017. Knowing Conor, I know I could get a message telling me something else. He's hard to predict, which is one of the reasons why he's so fascinating,” said John, in his column on 'The 42' website.

Another point raised by Kavanagh was the lack of 'relevant challenge' for McGregor. According to the coach, names like Tony Ferguson e Kevin Lee, who will challenge for the interim lightweight title at UFC 216 in October, are not popular enough to motivate McGregor to fight again.

“Even though I know that Conor is champion, I know that there is an interim title fight between the Tony Ferguson and the Kevin Lee. To be honest, I didn't even know who Lee was until recently. Tony is a solid fighter, but he doesn't have the kind of appeal that gets your blood boiling, as in the context of the lively rematch with the Nate diaz, the historical significance of beating Eddie Alvarez at Madison Square Garden and the novelty of facing the best boxer of his generation”, he concluded.

Conor McGregor He hasn't even put his belt on the line yet: he hasn't played in the UFC since November 2016, when he won the lightweight title by knocking out Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205. In the company since 2013, there are nine wins and just one loss at home, including the history 13 second knockout in José Aldo, which earned him the featherweight title.