Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Harry Davies

Conor McGregor admits he wasn’t committed in training for UFC defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov

Conor McGregor admitted he didn't take his training for UFC rival Khabib Nurmagomedov as seriously as he should have.

McGregor, 34, was tapped out by Nurmagomedov in the fourth round of their UFC 229 grudge fight in October 2018. 'Notorious' was returning to the octagon against Nurmagomedov following a two-year layoff, having crossed over to boxing the year prior for his illustrious 'money fight' against Floyd Mayweather.

In his new Netflix documentary 'McGregor Forever' the UFC legend admitted to not being fully committed to his preparations for facing Nurmagomedov. McGregor also suffered a foot injury just weeks before the fight, as he needed one of his coaches to brutally bend one of his dislocated toes back into place.

Have you watched Conor McGregor's new Netflix documentary? Let us know in the comments section below

Speaking a year on from his loss to Nurmagomedov, the Irishman said: "Last time I was just not committed, simple as. That led to injuries and doubt in the mind. It's very simple, put in the time and you'll get the reward back. Set a time to train and then train at that time. Set a time to go to sleep and then go to sleep at that time. Set a time to get up and then get up at that time.

"Don't tell yourself you need to do something and then don't do it. I knew in my head I was saying 'Get up at this time' but I didn't get up at that time. 'Train at this time' but I didn't train at that time. 'Don't drink that' but I drank it. These all just infiltrate my mental strengths. Little defeats instead of wins and they just culminate, so I'm figuring myself out like I never have before."

Conor McGregor was beaten by Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 (Zuffa LLC)

McGregor went on to knockout Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds in his return fight after being tapped out by Nurmagomedov - and 'Notorious' hasn't been back in the win column since. The former two-weight champion was knocked out by Dustin Poirier in their January 2021 rematch and things didn't go his way in their trilogy six months later as McGregor broke his leg at the end of the opening round.

Although a date is yet to be announced for his comeback fight this year, McGregor is expected to face Michael Chandler after coaching against his UFC rival on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter. A win for McGregor against Chandler, who has a UFC record of 2-3, would mark his first in over three years.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.