John Kavanagh News

Adam D Martin - November 24, 2021

MMA coach John Kavanagh says that he wants to see top welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev fight against his pupil Gunnar Nelson next. Kavanagh, who is of course the longtime head coach of UFC superstar Conor McGregor, took to his social media on Tuesday to make a matchmaking suggestion to the UFC. As far as the coach goes, he believes that a fight between Chimaev and Nelson would make a lot of sense. With the UFC rumored to be holding an event in London in March, Kavanagh believes this would be the ideal situation to hold this potential fight between Chimaev and Nelson. Take a look below at what the coach said about this potential welterweight fight.

Tom Taylor - January 25, 2021

Dillon Danis and John Kavanagh, two of the most important people in Conor McGregor’s inner circle, have reacted to his loss to Dustin Poirier. McGregor met Poirier in the main event of UFC 257 on Fight Island last Saturday. The pair’s lightweight showdown was a rematch of a 2014 fight that McGregor won by first-round knockout. This time around, Poirier evened the score, ruining McGregor’s lead leg with calf kicks, and stopping him with punches in round two.

Adam Martin - December 27, 2020

Coach John Kavanagh wants the MMA community to remember that Dustin Poirier has already felt Conor McGregor’s knockout power in the past. McGregor and Poirier meet for the second time next month at UFC 257 on UFC Fight Island. The first time these two fought was back in September 2014 at UFC 178. That fight was almost seven years ago and it was down at featherweight. Both men are different fighters now and both are now fighting up at lightweight. It’s why some analysts believe that Poirier has a much better chance to win the rematch this time.

Tom Taylor - December 9, 2020

Famed MMA coach John Kavanagh has some choice words for boxing star Claressa Shields, who recently told MMA fans to “bow down” to her. Shields is widely regarded as the best female boxer in the world, and is slated to make her MMA debut in the PFL cage in 2021. Ahead of her debut, Shields is demanding respect from MMA fans for being bold enough to make the transition between sports.

Chris Taylor - July 2, 2020

Coach Kavanagh claims that a few UFC fighters have pulled him aside at events to send their appreciation to his ‘boy’ Conor McGregor for “changing the game”. John Kavanagh’s claim came shortly after Dustin Poirier suggested that he credited his defeat to McGregor as the reason for his career resurgence.

Fernando Quiles - June 29, 2020

Head coach John Kavanagh claims Conor McGregor vs. Justin Gaethje was close to materializing. Gaethje has been on a tear since dropping back-to-back bouts against Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez. “The Highlight” is riding a four-fight winning streak. In that span, he’s beaten Tony Ferguson, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Edson Barboza, and James Vick.

Natasha Hooper - June 16, 2020

Coach John Kavanagh has revealed the first thing he looks for in a potential fighter, and his answer may surprise you. The Irish mixed martial arts coach rose to fame following the success of his student, Conor McGregor. Kavanagh was instrumental in McGregor’s wins and eventual championship reigns. He is also the coach for other MMA stars like James Gallagher, Gunnar Nelson and Makwan Amirkhani.

Adam Martin - April 10, 2020

MMA coach John Kavanagh is interested in seeing the UFC hold a tournament for the lightweight title upon resumption if its fight schedule. All upcoming UFC events are postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The UFC interim lightweight title bout between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje, which was set to take place at UFC 249, was one of the fights affected by the postponements. Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, two of the UFC’s biggest stars, also won’t be fighting anytime soon on account of the UFC schedule currently being on hiatus.

Mike Pendleton - March 19, 2020

John Kavanagh has been the head coach of SBG Ireland since 2001, and most fans know him as the coach behind Conor McGregor. Yet he’s far more than just that.

Natasha Hooper - February 19, 2020

Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh acknowledges major mistakes made by his fighter, but says he is “proud of how he’s come through those things.” “The Notorious” returned to the UFC Octagon this year for the first time since his UFC 229 loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov. He faced Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in his comeback and bulldozed his way to victory in just 40 seconds of the first round.

Tom Taylor - February 19, 2020

Conor McGregor has had a crazy few years. While he’s had some big moments of success — most notably his 40-second, January knockout of Donald Cerrone — he’s also made his way into the headlines for numerous brushes with the law.

Adam D Martin - February 9, 2020

Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh said on his social media that he felt Jon Jones clearly deserved to win the decision against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. In one of the most controversial title fight decisions in recent years, Jones edged out a narrow unanimous decision victory by scores of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46. It was an extremely close fight that was fought tooth-and-nail by two of the best light heavyweights in the world, but most including UFC president Dana White seemed to side with Reyes earning the decision. The judges, however, awarded Jones the win, something which Kavanagh agrees with.

Tom Taylor - January 13, 2020

For a time, Conor McGregor was the biggest sporting star in Ireland, and arguably one of the most popular athletes in the world. After a couple of losses and a long list of troubles outside the cage, however, there is a widespread perception that the Irishman’s popularity has died down, even on the Emerald Isle. Not so, says long-time McGregor head coach John Kavanagh.

Cole Shelton - January 8, 2020

John Kavanagh believes Justin Gaethje is a good stylistic matchup for Conor McGregor. The Irishman in Conor McGregor has been open about 2020 being a season and it begins with Donald Cerrone. After that, he has mentioned possible opponents like Jorge Masvidal and Justin Gaethje who is on his “list.”

Tom Taylor - January 6, 2020

Coach John Kavanagh and the other staff at the famed SBG Ireland gym in Dublin, Ireland, have been letting Conor McGregor lead his own training camp for Donald Cerrone. Kavanagh explained the dynamic in the gym during a recent interview with The Mac Life.

Natasha Hooper - January 6, 2020

Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return to MMA is less than two weeks away. Not only does the Irishman’s coach believe he’s “the best he’s ever been,” but he also revealed McGregor’s primary motivation: love. During an interview with The Mac Life, McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh discussed the fighter’s training transformation.

Cole Shelton - October 31, 2019

John Kavanagh says his pupil Conor McGregor will have a fight announcement very soon. McGregor recently said he will return on Jan. 18 but wouldn’t reveal an opponent. Rumors started to swirl that it was Donald Cerrone, yet Kavanagh wouldn’t confirm. Rather, he says the fight is agreed to.

Cole Shelton - September 23, 2019

John Kavanagh hopes Conor McGregor’s return fight will be against Frankie Edgar. Conor McGregor has been hinting at a return to the Octagon for a while, but has had his sights set on a Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch.