Conor McGregor has urged young fighters and their coaches to 'get with the program' when it comes to their striking.
The Notorious, who will return to the UFC on January 18 in Las Vegas, took to Instagram to let his 32 million+ followers know what not to do when practicing with pads.
In a long and detailed post, McGregor, 31, said: "I’m not sure what does be going on in most trainers and fighters minds.
"What’s the most danger in a fight? Being clocked clean while over extended, without your feet under you and your defence fully open. Yes? Yes. Lights out. Good f***ing night.
"So why the f*** are 99.9% of fighter and coach I see, all about wacking shots in full wack, with ZERO defensive or positioning responsibilities in there?
"You are setting yourself up to be clattered badly. Know that.
"Calculate how many punches you throw in practice Versus how many times you slip/roll/parry/pull/block in practice.
"It’s crazy. I estimate 1000 to 1 is the difference. In that ball park anyway. If you don’t practice these and just overload on punches and kicks and not much else it’s going to be your downfall.
"I can sit and put every ounce of power into a pad strike or bag strike. But imagine that pad is not there. You’re going out on your face. Even without being hit.
"Even with the pad there and you make full clean contact, too much force in the shot leaves you completely open.
"You can’t retract your guard or get your legs under you in time. You come in against a smooth operator he is going to take the point of impact away, or catch it cleanly for counter, and then what? Wide open. Sitting duck.
"Does my nut in seeing it all the time, and why I was always more spar heavy in my rise. Unrealistic practice develops too many bad habits to the already uneducated.
"Even if they do work defensive work it’s usually unrealistic. One example say, on giving shots to parry. But half throwing the shot for parry.
"This will then develop the habit of reaching for the soft punch. Who is that helping? That’s walking them into danger when the real pace of shot comes. And that’s just one small example, get clued in guys."
McGregor then shifted the focus to his own cage return, telling fans he is 'more clued in' than he ever was before.
He added: "I am fully clued in, now more than I ever was, and I’m going to rip this game a new smile when I get back.
"I am also really eager to progress into real work with my son, who now at 2.5 years of age is beginning to piece together combinations. It’s all he wants to do. We’ve been training since the jump also. Day 1!
"Get with the program young fighters and coaches! Get with the fucking program, otherwise..."
The Irishman still has yet to find an opponent for next month, but talks are already underway with UFC legend Tyron Woodley and British star Leon Edwards to compete in the co-main event.
If you haven't already, be sure to like our Irish Mirror Sport and Irish Mirror GAA pages on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
