Conor McGregor trains some movement drills with Ido Portal ahead of his welterweight rematch with Nate Diaz at UFC 202.
After Conor McGregor’s loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, many tried to analyse where things wrong. The Irishman’s diet leading up to the fight, which consisted of two steaks a day, was put in the crosshairs. His ultra-confidence and disregard for Diaz’ durability and experience came under the firing line. Even movement coach Ido Portal, who worked extensively with McGregor in the weeks leading up to UFC 196, was criticised.
Portal, a former capoeira expert, was largely ridiculed for his unorthodox training methods and frequent appearances on UFC 196’s embedded series. Yet, despite the criticism before and after McGregor’s loss, Portal is backing working with ‘The Notorious’ ahead of UFC 202.
The Israeli-born movement coach was also present for McGregor’s win over Jose Aldo at UFC 194, which saw him KO ‘Scarface’ with a counter left hook in the opening exchange. Portal has also worked with MMA fighters such as Alberto Mina, an undefeated welterweight who last KO’d Mike Pyle with a flying knee at UFC Fight Night 90.
McGregor will look to avenge his loss to Diaz at UFC 202. The pay-per-view extravaganza takes place next week, August 20, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.