John Kavanagh | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Conor McGregor’s Coach Omits Jon Jones From His MMA Mount Rushmore

Conor McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh, recently shared his picks for an MMA Mount Rushmore. Intriguingly, Jon Jones was conspicuously absent from his list. The reigning UFC heavyweight champion’s name is a natural inclusion in any conversation about the greatest MMA fighter of all time (GOAT), and his achievements would appear to certainly validate that status. […]

Continue Reading Conor McGregor’s Coach Omits Jon Jones From His MMA Mount Rushmore at MMA News.

Conor McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh, recently shared his picks for an MMA Mount Rushmore. Intriguingly, Jon Jones was conspicuously absent from his list.

The reigning UFC heavyweight champion’s name is a natural inclusion in any conversation about the greatest MMA fighter of all time (GOAT), and his achievements would appear to certainly validate that status. “Bones” boasts a career marked by extraordinary accomplishments and historic milestones.

At just 23, Jones made history by defeating then-light heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua in the third round at UFC 128 in March 2011, securing his place as the youngest UFC champion ever. From that moment, he never looked back, embarking on a remarkable journey that culminated in an unprecedented 13 successful title defenses.

In recent times, no one has been more vocally supportive of Jones’ status as the GOAT and the top pound-for-pound fighter than UFC CEO Dana White. White has been notably immersed in extensive discussions, staunchly defending the 37-year-old New Yorker’s legacy.

However, Kavanagh’s all-time MMA elite list boasts an array of unexpected names, and it overlooks Jones despite his legendary career…

Kavanagh Reveals Five Picks for MMA Mount Rushmore With No Jones

During a recent discussion with Lucky Block, Kavanagh was prompted to name the greatest MMA fighters of all time. The renowned coach listed five names, deviating from the traditional four-person Mount Rushmore.

Naturally, Kavanagh included “The Notorious” as his first pick, highlighting the remarkable achievements of his student and the profound impact he’s had on the sport.

“Unsurprisingly, I’m going to name Conor first because he became the first simultaneous two-weight world champion. That’s no small feat, but also what he did for the game in general, his general introduction of MMA to a whole world who would have never seen it, really. He’s the first and maybe the only one to truly cross over into, let’s say, normal life, and obviously, now he’s in movies as well. A lot of people to be thankful that if you’re involved in the MMA industry, you probably had a few guys walk into your gym because of Conor’s influence.”

Kavanagh then listed Russian MMA icon Fedor Emelianenko among his favorites, followed by UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn, recognizing his McGregor-esque achievements.

For his fourth pick, he named another legend, former longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

“Number two, I’ll say Fedor Emelianenko. He’s one of my favorite fighters of all time. Incredible Russian fighter. I’m going to say, BJ Penn, another two-weight world champion. Incredible skill set. At four, I have to go for Anderson Silva. I think some record number of title defenses and just so skillful, you watch him back in the day when he was fighting someone who’s a kind of a friend of mine, Forrest Griffin. Forrest is so tough, so durable, so good, and Anderson made the poor guy look like he’d never trained. He has amazing skills.”

The SBG Ireland founder placed the first women’s UFC bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey, as his fifth pick, celebrating her as a trailblazer who revolutionized women’s MMA.

“At five I will say Ronda Rousey and not just for her amazing victories in the UFC, but the fact that she really introduced women’s MMA to the world. Dana was pretty headstrong all those years, saying he would never have women in MMA. And I think he took one look at her and said, let’s get women in MMA. So, there we go. That’s my five.”

Kavanagh’s omission of “Bones” from his MMA Mount Rushmore is indeed surprising, but he’s not alone in leaving out the former light heavyweight champion.

Recently, UFC middleweight veteran Sam Alvey has also excluded Jones from his list of top fighters, further stirring curiosity about Jones’ place in the pantheon of MMA greatness.

Read More: Jon Jones Reacts To Inclusion On Dana White’s MMA Mount Rushmore

Continue Reading Conor McGregor’s Coach Omits Jon Jones From His MMA Mount Rushmore at MMA News.

Coach backs Conor McGregor for win over Michael Chandler: ‘He’s an absolute sharpshooter’

Coach backs Conor McGregor for win over Michael Chandler: 'He's an absolute sharpshooter' John Kavanagh has insisted while a grudge match for his trainee, Conor McGregor against Michael Chandler is still on…

John Kavanagh has insisted while a grudge match for his trainee, Conor McGregor against Michael Chandler is still on the cards for the Dubliner’s return to action, a potential switcharoo would not cause much concern for the team — who believe the ex-champion is en route to a rather straightforward win.

Conor McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight champion and featherweight gold holder in the UFC, has been sidelined from action for more than three years, most recently fracturing his left tibia and fibula in an opening round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss against common-foe, Dustin Poirier.

Conor McGregor slams 'Greedy and corrupted' officials over expensive bike shed

Expected to take on Chandler in a slated welterweight headliner at UFC 303 at the end of June during International Fight Week, a fractured toe ruled the veteran counter striker from a hiatus-snapping comeback to action.

John Kavanagh expects Conor McGregor to finish Michael Chandler

Earlier this week, UFC CEO, Dana White provided a distinct update on the fighting future of Conor McGregor, confirming how he expects the Dubliner to fight early next year, and if the above-mentioned Kavanagh is concerned, a straightforward win over the former two-weight champion is likely instore.

Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler — Image via: Getty

“We don’t get too obsessed with what the other guy is doing,” John Kavanagh told Bloody Elbow. “We try to focus more on what we’re doing. You look at (Michael) Chandler, he has some incredible wins in the UFC. He stopped Dan Hooker, who was on the toughest guys in that division, and Chandlr made pretty short work of him and then his knockout against (Tony) Ferguson, so he’s dangerous everywhere. He’s solid everywhere.”

“We’re ready for his wild strikes and we’re ready for his wild grappling,” Kavanagh explained. “At the end of the day, the fight starts with the two of them standing at opposite ends of the cage, so whatever Chandler’s goal is — whether it’s to land a strike or a takedown — he’s got to walk through that danger zone and that’s where Conor (McGregor) has proven time and again to be an absolute sharpshooter. When he lands, it tends to be all she wrote.”

Coach backs Conor McGregor for win over Michael Chandler: ‘He’s an absolute sharpshooter’

John Kavanagh has insisted while a grudge match for his trainee, Conor McGregor against Michael Chandler is still on…

John Kavanagh expects Conor McGregor to finish Michael Chandler

Coach backs Conor McGregor for win over Michael Chandler: ‘He’s an absolute sharpshooter’

John Kavanagh has insisted while a grudge match for his trainee, Conor McGregor against Michael Chandler is still on…

John Kavanagh expects Conor McGregor to finish Michael Chandler

Conor McGregor backed as ‘Super sharp’ ahead of return fight at UFC 303: ‘I’d be surprised if we see two rounds’

Finally set to make his long-anticipated return to action at UFC 303 at the end of June, former two-division…

Finally set to make his long-anticipated return to action at UFC 303 at the end of June, former two-division champion, Conor McGregor has been described as “super slick” by his head coach, John Kavanagh, who claimed he would surprised if the Dubliner did not finish opponent, Michael Chandler before the second round.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the promotion, is finally set to make his return to active competition for the first time in over three years, booking a headlining slot against Chandler at UFC 303 during International Fight Week at the end of June.

Taking on Chandler, McGregor shared time with the former Bellator MMA titleholder during filming on The Ultimate Fighter 31 last year, with the duo serving as opposing coaches.

And set to begin training camp for his fight with the Kill Cliff FC standout, McGregor – who has set up a large training facility at his property in Straffen, recently underwent a random drug test – all while receiving a home-call haircut.

Conor McGregor described as “sharp” ahead of UFC 303 return

Set to roll back into Las Vegas for a blockbuster fight with Chandler this summer, McGregor’s head coach, Kavanagh, claimed his student was looking more than “sharp”, and sees similarities to how the bout could play out with the Crumlin striker’s 2015 knockout win over Chad Mendes.

Conor McGregor vows to quit drinking ahead of UFC 303 five more nights then that's that

“He’s come back on the mats as sharp as ever,” John Kavanagh told Andy Stevenson of Severe MMA regarding Conor McGregor. “Of course, we’ve got to get the rounds in and get the conditioning up so as to be ready for competition, but his technique is as sharp as ever.”

“I see similarities to the (Chad) Mendes fight,” Kavanagh explained. “I’d be surprised if it can go two rounds. I’d be surprised. He just hits too hard. He’s too sharp. Is there gonna be scrappiness and take down stuff? Maybe. But, every round starts on the feet, and his ability to get back there is underestimated. So, I’d be surprised if we see two rounds.”

Who do you think wins at UFC 303: Conor McGregor or Michael Chandler?

Conor McGregor coach John Kavanagh confused by UFC’s ‘Weird’ handling of the megastar’s anticipated return

Not even Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh knows why it’s taking so long for the UFC to book his…

Not even Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh knows why it’s taking so long for the UFC to book his return to the Octagon.

McGregor has been sidelined ever since suffering a leg injury in the UFC 264 main event in July 2021. Last year, the former two-division champion began hyping up his quote-unquote “greatest comeback in combat sports history” — something that has been rumored for UFC 296 last December, UFC 300 on April 13, and most recently, June 29 when the promotion wraps up International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

During his appearance on The MMA Hour alongside Alta business partner Rich Chou, Kavanagh was inevitably asked for his take on the situation with Conor McGregor and why it’s taking so long for the UFC to book a fight with MMA’s biggest name.

As it turns out, Kavanaugh is just as clueless as the rest of us.

“I won’t pretend to know the politics and what’s going on with legal stuff in the background,” Kavanaugh said. “All I know is it seems odd that we’re not getting [any news]. Like I said, I really am speaking from a position of ignorance because I actually try to purposefully avoid all of that.

“[McGregor’s manager] Audie [Attar] and the team, they do all that, they go back and forth with Hunter [Campbell] and the UFC team. But yeah, it’s weird to me for someone to be the star he is and not get more opportunities” (h/t MMA Fighting).

UFC Fans can get their Conor mcGregor fix on March 21

Conor McGregor is the highest-grossing athlete in UFC history, accounting for eight of the 10 biggest pay-per-view buyrates of all time. He has played a pivotal role in the promotion’s continued growth and mainstream appeal, which will undoubtedly come in handy when the UFC heads back to the negotiating table as their broadcast deal with ESPN is set to expire at the end of 2025.

‘Mystic Mac’ is also set to make his feature film debut this week (March 21) when Amazon Prime Video releases its remake of the 1989 action classic Road House. Taking over the role originally played by the late Patrick Swayze, Road House stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a former UFC fighter who takes a job as a bouncer at a roadhouse in the Florida Keys.

McGregor plays Knox, one of the film’s antagonists.

“Look, I’m going to meet him either this evening or certainly tomorrow for the movie, and trust me, that’s why I half-jokingly say to journalists, ‘You know as much as me,’” Kavanagh said. “They all think, ‘Go on, give me the inside scoop.’ I’m seeing the same clips pop up that you guys do.

“Conor’s traveling so much and my head’s down so much with what’s happening day to day, I’m not really every day on to Conor, ‘Hey, what? I’ve seen an interview.’ He’ll come to me when the fight’s announced, but I will be asking him.”

Despite Conor McGregor and John Kavanagh’s insistence that they are both ready, UFC CEO Dana White has continued to place the blame on his cash cow, claiming that McGregor’s immense wealth is the root of his delayed absence.

McGregor disputed that claim during an appearance at the Road House premiere earlier this month, stating that his return is being “pushed back” by the UFC and that it is beginning to affect his motivation.