Kavanagh believes in another McGregor return: 'I won't doubt him'
John Kavanagh, Conor McGregor's long-time coach, believes the Irishman can still make another UFC return despite the serious knee injury suffered in July and a run of setbacks. He says his fighter should only return to MMA-specific training next year.
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John Kavanagh, treinador de longa data de Conor McGregor, acredita que o irlandês ainda pode fazer mais um retorno ao octógono do UFC, apesar da lesão grave e do revés que interromperam sua volta à competição.
O líder da SBG Ireland falou ao programa The Ariel Helwani Show e contou que o pupilo está em reabilitação, mas só deve voltar aos treinos específicos de MMA no próximo ano.
"Ele diz que vai lutar novamente. Acho que estou com ele há tempo demais. São 22 anos juntos, e já o vi fazer muitas coisas que pareciam impossíveis, várias vezes. Então, se ele diz que vai voltar, não vou duvidar dele", declarou.
O treinador conhece o pupilo há mais de duas décadas. Em julho, uma lesão grave no joelho durante a luta com Max Holloway, no UFC 329, levou o irlandês à cirurgia. Segundo Kavanagh, a evolução na fisioterapia é boa e o movimento já está melhor, mas ainda não há condições de retomar a preparação completa.
"Provavelmente será no próximo ano que ele poderá começar a voltar aos treinos específicos de MMA", disse, acrescentando que não sente que o lutador tenha parado de competir.
Ex-dono de dois cinturões do UFC, McGregor passou a competir bem menos depois do auge: foram cinco lutas em quase dez anos, com apenas uma vitória, sobre Donald Cerrone, em janeiro de 2020. As derrotas foram para Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier (duas vezes) e Max Holloway, e as duas mais recentes terminaram com contusões sérias.
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