Conor McGregor is the former two-division UFC champion now sharing his grappling knowledge with students in Italy. Best known for his explosive left hand, McGregor built his mixed martial arts foundation at SBG Ireland under John Kavanagh, blending precision striking with Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling. His takedown defense and distance control helped make him the first fighter to hold UFC featherweight and lightweight titles at once. On the mats, he breaks down takedown technique, from level changes and penetration steps to finishing with relentless drive through the hips. In 2026, after a devastating knee injury cut short his UFC 329 return against Max Holloway, he continues passing his phenomenal fight IQ to the next generation of combat sports athletes. #ufc #mma #conormcgregor #islammakhachev #training
Conor McGregor is spending his recovery time on the mats in Italy, coaching grappling students while a knee injury keeps him out of competition. The former two-division UFC champion's knee problem ended his planned UFC 329 return against Max Holloway before it could begin, and he is now passing on technique to a new generation of athletes.
McGregor, 38, is 22-7-0 as a professional and trains out of SBG Ireland under John Kavanagh, where he built the foundation of his mixed martial arts game. The Irishman is best known for his left hand, a southpaw weapon that has fueled a career average of 5.27 significant strikes landed per minute at 49 percent accuracy. He stands five-foot-nine, or 175 cm, with a 74-inch reach of 188 cm.
His work in Italy centers on takedown technique, according to the report. McGregor breaks down level changes, penetration steps and finishing with relentless drive through the hips. It is an area where his numbers are modest as an attacker, at 0.66 takedowns per 15 minutes, but the report credits his takedown defense and distance control as key tools in his rise. Those skills helped make him the first fighter to hold UFC featherweight and lightweight titles at the same time.
His submission attempt rate sits at 0.1 per 15 minutes, a reminder that his reputation was built on precision striking blended with elements of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling rather than a grappling-first approach.
Why it matters
- McGregor's injury removes him from the UFC 329 picture, where he had been set to face Max Holloway.
- His time coaching shows him staying active in the sport while he recovers.
- The focus on takedown mechanics highlights the wrestling and grappling side of a fighter long defined by his striking.
No timeline for his recovery or a return to competition has been given.
