Conor McGregor has been dedicating additional time to his grappling work in the lead-up to UFC 329. The added emphasis on the ground game has raised questions about whether a submission finish could be in his plans.
Conor McGregor has been sharpening his grappling ahead of UFC 329, scheduled for July 11, with reports indicating the Irish star has devoted notable extra time to ground work in the final stretch of his training camp.
McGregor, 37, carries a professional record of 22-6 and competes out of SBG Ireland. Standing five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach, the southpaw has built his reputation primarily as one of the sport's most dangerous strikers, averaging 5.32 significant strikes landed per minute at a 49 percent accuracy rate. His grappling has historically taken a back seat to that striking threat — he averages just 0.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes across his career — which makes the reported shift in training emphasis a notable development heading into fight week.
The added focus on the ground game has prompted discussion around whether McGregor could be looking to incorporate a submission finish as part of his game plan, a departure from the knockout-oriented approach that has defined much of his career.
Why it matters
- McGregor's striking threat is well-documented, so any credible expansion of his grappling arsenal adds a new layer of danger for opponents to prepare for
- A submission finish, if it materializes, would mark a significant stylistic statement and could reshape how future opponents approach him
- With UFC 329 just days away, the timing of these reports suggests the camp has made a deliberate tactical decision rather than a routine training adjustment
Saturday, July 11, 2026
