Conor McGregor's striking coach has declared that the Irishman is in "phenomenal shape" ahead of his January return to the UFC .
The former two-weight World champion is expected to take on Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone on January 18 having not fought since he was choked out by Khabib Nurmagomedov.
And his long-time striking coach and friend Owen Roddy is confident McGregor will be back as good as ever.
"I know he’s working very hard," he told MMA Junkie. "There’s no official date set yet, but Conor’s been training very hard, as you can see - he’s in good nick.
"If you're looking at any of the pictures, he's in phenomenal shape, he’s ready to go. I’m sure everybody’s excited to see him back.
"If it is 'Cowboy', it would be an exciting fight. I said this a couple of months ago: 'Cowboy' and Conor is a great fight for the fans.
"Two guys that are exciting strikers – although ‘Cowboy’ is phenomenal on the ground, as well, but I think if it was a fight between them, it would be a striking battle, and I think it would be one for the fans, so if it is that, it’ll be an exciting one.
"I just want to see Conor back in. I think everybody just wants to see Conor back in the UFC, bring back that spectacle that is his fights.
"Nobody does it like Conor, and for me, I just want to see him back in there. Whatever happens after that, who knows?"
McGregor wants to fight three times next year - against Cerrone, Jorge Masvidal and finally Khabib Nurmagomedov for a second time.
And Roddy is confident his man would produce a better showing in a rematch.
"It was a tricky fight, and take nothing away from Khabib, he came in with a great gameplan," he added. "He got off, and he executed. but I just don’t think Conor was anywhere near the best of his ability.
"He wasn’t as good as he can be, and Conor on a night, at 100 per cent, can beat anybody in the world."
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