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UFC star Conor McGregor receives Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt ahead of return: ’20 years of hard work’

Conor McGregor receives Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt UFC return Former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion, Conor McGregor has been gearing up for a potential Octagon return against MIchael Chandler before the end of the year – and during his current training camp, the Dubliner has received his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt from long-time head coach, Straight Blast Gym technician, John Kavanagh. McGregor, 35, a […]

Former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion, Conor McGregor has been gearing up for a potential Octagon return against MIchael Chandler before the end of the year – and during his current training camp, the Dubliner has received his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt from long-time head coach, Straight Blast Gym technician, John Kavanagh.

McGregor, 35, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he headlined UFC 264 back in July, suffering a fractured left tibia and fibula in a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss against former interim titleholder, Dustin Poirier.

However, in recent weeks, McGregor has staked his claim for a return to the Octagon as soon as UFC 296 at the end of the year, with the promotion’s final pay-per-view event of the year slated to take place on December 16.

Linked with a welterweight fight opposite former lightweight title challenger and The Ultimate Fighter 31, Chandler, McGregor, who has returned to his native Dublin over the course of last week following a stay in Cannes, France – took in some sparring with undefeated compatriot and surging UFC welterweight contender, Ian Machado Garry.

Conor McGregor wrapped with BJJ black belt ahead of UFC return

And following a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu session at Straight Blast Gym HQ in Dublin last night, the Crumlin native was awarded with a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt by head coach, Kavanagh, noting how the process to being strapped with the accolade has exceeded 20 years.

“Received my black belt tonight from my coach, friend, and mentor @coach_kavanagh of @sbgireland!” Conor McGregor posted on his official Instagram account. “20 years of hard work! Thank you John for everything over the years, and to all of my teammates throughout this incredible Jiu-Jitsu journey! Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart!”

“A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, wow!” Conor McGregor continued. “Praise be to Go and then Helio. I’ll be in the GI in it tomorrow Helio, I promise, and I cannot wait!! What a buzz.”

Do you expect Conor McGregor to make a return to the UFC this year?

Photos – UFC star Conor McGregor again spars with Ian Machado Garry ahead of Octagon comeback fight

Having shared the mats of Straight Blast Gym HQ with streaking welterweight contender, Ian Machado Garry over the course of the weekend, former two-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor has now released images of the two sharing the squared circle at Crumlin Boxing Club – with further sparring taking place between the duo. McGregor, a former […]

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, has been sidelined from active competition since fracturing his left tibia and fibula against former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier back in July 2021 – resulting in a doctor’s stoppage TKO.

And appearing to gear up for an impending Octagon return, McGregor has been spotted training alongside fellow Dublin talent in Cannes, France over the last week, however, has since returned to his native country to take in sparring with Portmarnock native, Machado Garry in the capital.

Appearing hellbent on landing a December return to the Octagon, McGregor is expected to fight former lightweight championship challenger, Michael Chandler in his return to combat sports, however, UFC president, Dana White has rubbished recent suggestion that a bout between the two at the welterweight limit could occur as soon as UFC 296 on December 16. in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Conor McGregor shares the boxing ring with Ian Machado Garry in Crumlin

Posting footage of himself and surging former Cage Warriors titleholder, Machado Garry at SBG HQ in Dublin over the course of the weekend, McGregor has now posted various pictures of the two boxing together at Crumlin Boxing Club in the capital.

“Big Irish,” Conor McGregor wrote in a caption on his official Instagram account. “Great work with the lad @iangarry, at @crumlinboxingclubofficial.”

Improving to 13-0 as a professional last month at UFC 292 in Boston Massachusetts, Machado Garry recorded his sixth consecutive Octagon win with a dominant unanimous decision shutout win over veteran welterweight contender, Neil Magny.

Off the back the victory, the Kill Cliff FC trainee has been linked with a showdown against veteran striking specialist, Stephen Thompson before the close of the year, and has suggested a UFC Fight Night Dublin homecoming against former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington in the opening months of next year.

Do you expect Conor McGregor to make a fighting return later this annum?

Anthony Smith hits out at Alex Pereira amid verbal war: ‘If you want a f*cking rival you’ve got one right here’

Former light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith has responded to recent comments from arch-rival and former undisputed middleweight championship holder, Alex Pereira – claiming if he is in search of a UFC rival, he’s got on in waiting. Smith, who snapped a disappointing two-fight losing skid earlier this month, managed to land a close, split […]

Smith, who snapped a disappointing two-fight losing skid earlier this month, managed to land a close, split decision win over Ryan Spann in the pair’s rematch – landing his first victory since he submitted the former with a rear-naked choke in a 2021 headliner at the UFC Apex facility.

As for Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira, the Brazilian made a successful light heavyweight divisional bow at UFC 291 back in July in Salt Lake City, Utah – landing in the division with a close, split judging win of his own over former champion, Jan Blachowicz.

Reacting to claims from Smith ahead of his outing in Kallang that he looked entirely normal at the light heavyweight limit, Pereira the one-time title challenger, claimed the former would amount to nothing, and described him as “washed-up”.

Anthony Smith hits back at UFC foe, Alex Pereira

Sharing his thoughts on the comments from Pereira – as well as a subsequent offer of a grappling match, Smith claimed he would be willing to rival the Brazilian if needs be.

“I said a bunch of nice sh*t about you, and you’re going to talk sh*t?” Anthony Smith said of Alex Pereira on his SiriusXM radio programe. “I don’t think so. That’s not how this works. Then we’re going to shake hands when we see each other because you’re doing this media thing because you’re looking for a rival? If you want a f*cking rival, you’ve got one right here. I didn’t do sh*t to you. I’ve been nothing but complimentary of him and his whole team and a lot of his training partners. I don’t know what I did to that guy.”

"I've been nothing but complimentary of him and his whole team."

Anthony Smith (@lionheartasmith) responds to Alex Pereira's comments about him.

MMA Today | @RJcliffordMMA @DinThomas pic.twitter.com/D6YX87enFf

— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) August 29, 2023

As for Pereira, the Brazilian has been lined up to challenge for vacant light heavyweight gold against former champion, Jiri Prochazka – potentially as soon as December of this year at UFC 296.

Do you want to see Anthony Smith fight Alex Pereira in the future?

Conor McGregor suggests December scrap with Michael Chandler at UFC 296 is back on

Conor McGregor is once again suggesting his return to the Octagon will go down on December 16 when the UFC closes out its pay-per-view schedule in Las Vegas. Over the last several months, the Irishman has remained adamant that he would be making a comeback at UFC 296 for his long-awaited scrap with lightweight fan […]

Conor McGregor is once again suggesting his return to the Octagon will go down on December 16 when the UFC closes out its pay-per-view schedule in Las Vegas.

Over the last several months, the Irishman has remained adamant that he would be making a comeback at UFC 296 for his long-awaited scrap with lightweight fan favorite ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler. This is despite the fact that McGregor has still not re-enrolled in the USADA testing pool for a required six months of pre-fight screening.

Recently, Dana White and McGregor himself seemingly returned to reality, acknowledging that the fight would likely be pushed back to early 2024. No official reason was given for the delay, but the former two-division champ composed a series of voice notes on X (formerly Twitter) that appeared to blame the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Well, now another monkey wrench has been thrown in the works courtesy of a social media post by Conor McGregor. On August 27, the Irishman posted an image on X that appears to be a countdown clock for UFC 296 on the promotion’s streaming service, UFC Fight Pass. Interestingly, the event is titled UFC 296: Chandler vs. McGregor.

pic.twitter.com/AnLTLfM8Ha

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 27, 2023

Is Conor McGregor’s December Return Reveal for Real?

In another shocking turn of events, the post is still present on Conor McGregor’s feed more than 24 hours later. A true accomplishment for the notorious tweeter and deleter.

Of course, everyone should take this potential reveal with a very fine grain of salt. Until the UFC makes an official announcement, nothing surrounding Conor McGregor’s return is certain. But it’s safe to say that should this prove to be true, McGregor and company will have a lot of explaining to do regarding the Irishman’s current USADA status.

Do you believe Conor McGregor will be back in the Octagon this December, or is this just another eye-catching post from a master manipulator?

Report – UFC Fight Pass leak appears to confirm UFC 296 headliner between Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler

Fans have been sent into spirals this Sunday morning across social media, as multiple users brought to light a series of leaks on the official UFC Fight Pass webpage, which appears to show a UFC 296 pay-per-view event on December – featuring a headliner between former champion, Conor McGregor, and Michael Chandler. Sidelined through a […]

Sidelined through a fractured left tibia and fibula since July 2021, former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion, McGregor has targeted a return to the Octagon as soon as December of this year, in the form of a welterweight fight with The Ultimate Fighter 31 rival, Chandler.

However, the Dubliner, at the time of publication, has yet to submit any drug test samples to anti-doping agency, USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency), amid rumors that the UFC will actually grant him an exemption similar to former heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar back in 2016, to expedite a return to the Octagon before the close of the year.

Last week, the recently-turned 35-year-old claimed that a December return was likely impossible, urging Endeavor CEO, Ari Emanuel to lobby the Nevada State Athletic Commission in order for him to make a return that month.

And just the following day, the Crumlin striker then seemed hopeful of making a return against Chandler in December, claiming that a date in the final month of the year was now “back on the table”.

UFC leak apparently confirms UFC 296 fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler

This morning across social media, fans have been sent into raptures after an apparent leak on the official UFC Fight Pass webpage, which details an image of a countdown timer for UFC 296 on December 16. – with the card titled UFC 296: Chandler vs. McGregor.

Possible #UFC296 leak on the #UFC fightpass? pic.twitter.com/0pC3Ba8DVE

— FlokiOdinson (@OdinFlokison) August 27, 2023

While the promotion have yet to address the the apparent link online, earlier this year, the T-Mobile Arena projected a digital image of a UFC 285 event which leaked a vacant heavyweight title headliner between Jon Jones, and former interim champion, Cyril Gane, which later came to fruition for the March event.

Do you expect Conor McGregor to fight Michael Chandler in December at UFC 296?

Marlon Vera unmoved by Sean O’Malley mind games ahead of title rematch: ‘He needs me, I don’t need him’

After receiving a warning from newly-minted bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley earlier this week in regards to a potential title rematch at UFC 296 later this year, Ecuadorian contender, Marlon Vera has stressed that with his prior win over the incumbent, he is unmoved by mind games from the champion. Vera, the current number six ranked […]

Vera, the current number six ranked bantamweight contender, opened the main card of UFC 292 last weekend in Boston, Massachusetts, landing a close, unanimous decision win over common-foe, Pedro Munhoz in ‘Bean Town’.

Atop that pay-per-view return to the TD Garden for the promotion, O’Malley struck undisputed bantamweight gold with a stunning second round ground strikes TKO win over dominant titleholder, Aljamain Sterling – defeating the Uniondale native with a second frame finish.

And in the immediate aftermath of his victory, O’Malley issued a call out to Vera for a title fight rematch at UFC 296 in December, before later claiming if the Chone native attempted to dictate his future, he would then switch focus to a defense against former two-weight champion, Henry Cejudo.

Marlon Vera remains cool on potential title rematch with Sean O’Malley

However, holding a prior knockout win over Dana White’s Contender Series alum, O’Malley, Vera has stressed that the proverbial ball is firmly in his court ahead of a speculated title re-run.

“He (Sean O’Malley) needs me, I don’t need him,” Marlon Vera told InsideFighting. “He’s the champion now. I already beat him, so he needs to get it back.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Co-headlining UFC 252 against Montana striker, O’Malley back in the summer of 2020 at the UFC Apex facility, Vera handed the former his sole and still only professional mixed martial arts loss, finishing O’Malley with a slew of opening round ground strikes – after injuring the latter left leg with well-placed kicks.

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