Conor McGregor releases sparring footage while training for Michael Chandler but fans fear UFC star ‘has lost some pop’
CONOR MCGREGOR has released sparring footage ahead of his showdown with Michael Chandler – but some UFC fans are concerned by what they’ve seen.
The Notorious is gearing up for a clash with the former three-time Bellator – who he coached opposite against on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter – later this year.
INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMAUFC superstar Conor McGregor is gearing up for a showdown with Michael Chandler[/caption]
INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMAThe Irishman recently shared some sparring footage to his Instagram[/caption]
INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMABut some of his legion of fans were less than impressed by what they saw[/caption]
INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMASeveral of them claimed The Notorious has lost a step[/caption]
McGregor, 34, trained and sparred with several of the fighters on his team at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
And the Irishman released some footage of himself getting some hard rounds in with a training partner to his Instagram on Tuesday.
McGregor donned red UFC fight shorts and headgear as he went toe-to-toe with his sparring partner, who he landed several good shots on.
His accompanying caption for the post read: “I love fighting so dearly.
“I had a great experience coaching and training with a solid crew of young athletes on @espn’s @ultimatefighter!
“Alongside my long-time, all-time, all-star team! Airing May 20th everywhere. @ufc.”
But some of his legion of followers were less than impressed by what they saw in the brief training clip.
One commented: “Sorry, mate you’re too stiff now. All that buffness.”
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Another said: “Why do you still look so stiff though?”
And another said: “You have slowed a bit. Your speed looks compromised.”
One remarked: “Too slow [because of The weight he is carrying
Another chimed in: “Not looking good.”
One Notorious fan said: “You’ve lost some pop.”
McGregor’s clash with Chandler currently doesn’t have a date as the former has yet to re-enter the USADA testing pool – which he must be in for a minimum of six months before he can compete.
The fight will be the Irishman’s first since shattering his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
And he’s hoping it will kick start a return to the active ways which made him such a fan favourite.
He told Barstool Sports: “What do I hope for in this world? I hope for 100 fights.
“I hope for 100 more fights. I’m working for consistency. I’ve been having this on, off, on, off nonsense for too long.
“Via fight politics, via injuries, via just life. It does happen. It’s God’s plan. It’s all God, so I accept and understand it.
“But I’m excited and hopeful that I can get a nice consecutive run of bouts.”
