John Kavanagh revealed that he personally suggested McGregor arrive in Las Vegas later than originally planned, after the two decided to extend their stay in Newport due to the ideal training conditions and weather. Kavanagh said the extra days allowed them to complete additional training sessions that would not have happened had they traveled to Las Vegas on schedule. The late arrival had sparked speculation among fans that McGregor's main event bout was in jeopardy.
John Kavanagh has moved to quell speculation surrounding Conor McGregor's late arrival in Las Vegas ahead of fight week, confirming he personally recommended the change of plans after the pair decided to extend their stay in Newport.
Kavanagh explained that conditions at their training base proved ideal in the days leading up to the scheduled travel date, and that remaining in Newport allowed them to complete extra sessions that would otherwise have been lost. The coach framed the decision as a straightforward performance call rather than any sign of trouble, pushing back against fan theories that McGregor's main event appearance was at risk.
McGregor, 37, carries a professional record of 22 wins and 6 losses under the SBG Ireland banner. The Irishman, who stands five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach and fights out of a southpaw stance, averages 5.32 significant strikes landed per minute at a 49 percent striking accuracy rate — numbers that reflect the aggressive, high-output style he has built his career on.
Kavanagh, also Irish and the head coach at SBG Ireland, has long been the strategic mind behind McGregor's camp. His decision to delay the Las Vegas trip underlines the level of control and communication the two maintain in the final days before a major bout.
Why it matters
- The late arrival had fueled speculation online that McGregor's main event slot was in danger, which Kavanagh's explanation now directly addresses.
- Completing additional training sessions in Newport suggests the camp felt their preparation was not yet at the level they wanted before making the trip.
- McGregor's involvement in a main event card carries significant commercial weight, making any hint of uncertainty around his participation a major story in itself.
