UFC 196: Movement coach sees ‘huge difference’ in Welterweight version of Conor McGregor

When you don’t have to go through a vigorous weight cut, the weeks and days leading up to a fight seem to be that much smoother.

That’s what Ido Portal has noticed in Conor McGregor, as the movement coach says he sees a huge difference in the Welterweight version of “Notorious” when comparing him to when he competes at Featherweight.

And plenty of it has to do with the fact that he can eat more.

“The first thing, [McGregor is] just happy, eating out, jolly, jolly man,” Portal said on “The MMA Hour” as transcribed by MMA Fighting. “[There is a] huge difference, just, the pressure is off. Now it’s real, everything is open. All the possibilities are there. He’s energized, yeah, we can play with a lot more things closer and closer to the fights. It’s a huge difference.”

Furthermore, Portal says McGregor’s confidence levels are through the roof in the final week leading up to his 170-pound collision against Nate Diaz, which is set to headline UFC 196 this weekend (Sat., March 5, 2016) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I have to say, it’s [the confidence is] on another level with Conor for sure, but all of the SBG gang has this kind of mindset, Gunni [UFC Welterweight Gunnar Nelson] and [UFC Featherweight] Artem [Lobov] as well,” Portal said. “They’re ready to fight. They embody the martial artist, kind of always living on your sword kind of thing, ready to fight, ready to deal with anyone, any size.”

Diaz got the nod to face McGregor after Lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos bowed out of the 155-pound title fight against “Notorious” with a broken foot.

The unfortunate injury derailed McGregor’s hopes of attempting to become the first man to hold two separate divisiontitles simultaneously for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). But, it seems now that the pressure is off, McGregor is simply enjoying the journey to fight night.

Of course, others — such as Anthony Pettis — may think McGregor’s relaxed demeanor and high confidence could be because the fiery Irishman chose the path of least resistance for his upcoming UFC 196 obligations.

When you don’t have to go through a vigorous weight cut, the weeks and days leading up to a fight seem to be that much smoother.

That’s what Ido Portal has noticed in Conor McGregor, as the movement coach says he sees a huge difference in the Welterweight version of “Notorious” when comparing him to when he competes at Featherweight.

And plenty of it has to do with the fact that he can eat more.

“The first thing, [McGregor is] just happy, eating out, jolly, jolly man,” Portal said on “The MMA Hour” as transcribed by MMA Fighting. “[There is a] huge difference, just, the pressure is off. Now it’s real, everything is open. All the possibilities are there. He’s energized, yeah, we can play with a lot more things closer and closer to the fights. It’s a huge difference.”

Furthermore, Portal says McGregor’s confidence levels are through the roof in the final week leading up to his 170-pound collision against Nate Diaz, which is set to headline UFC 196 this weekend (Sat., March 5, 2016) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I have to say, it’s [the confidence is] on another level with Conor for sure, but all of the SBG gang has this kind of mindset, Gunni [UFC Welterweight Gunnar Nelson] and [UFC Featherweight] Artem [Lobov] as well,” Portal said. “They’re ready to fight. They embody the martial artist, kind of always living on your sword kind of thing, ready to fight, ready to deal with anyone, any size.”

Diaz got the nod to face McGregor after Lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos bowed out of the 155-pound title fight against “Notorious” with a broken foot.

The unfortunate injury derailed McGregor’s hopes of attempting to become the first man to hold two separate divisiontitles simultaneously for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). But, it seems now that the pressure is off, McGregor is simply enjoying the journey to fight night.

Of course, others — such as Anthony Pettis — may think McGregor’s relaxed demeanor and high confidence could be because the fiery Irishman chose the path of least resistance for his upcoming UFC 196 obligations.