Conor McGregor coach Owen Roddy announces departure from SBG in Dublin

Owen Roddy, one of the long-time coaches of former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor, has announced that he will no longer be working at SBG Ireland in Dublin, and that he is instead moving to the gym’s Charleston location.

Roddy made this announcement on his official Instagram page on Friday afternoon.

“End of an Era,” the Conor McGregor coach said in his post. “After 15 years of fighting and coaching I’m officially finished working in Straight Blast Gym Ireland. Just want to thank everyone for all the amazing memories. I have loved every minute of it . Thanks to all my students for the gifts and to my coach [John Kavanagh] for the lovely plaque. Time to focus on my guys [at SBG Charlestown].”

As Owen Roddy’s post explains, there doesn’t seem to be any drama whatsoever involved in this transition — coach John Kavanagh even gave him a plaque to commemorate his efforts at the main SBG location. The coach and former fighter simply seems to be relocating to focus on a new crop of students at a different SBG location.

That being said, this development does raise some questions about Owen Roddy’s role in the career of Conor McGregor. McGregor still trains at the main SBG Ireland location in Dublin, and it’s not yet clear if Roddy will return to the gym to help the Irish MMA star prepare for any future fights. We’re guessing he probably will — but stay tuned on any updates on that as they emerge.

Conor McGregor does not presently have a fight booked, though he’s said he plans to fight in the year 2019, and has recently been linked to a fan friendly fight with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. 

At present, the Irish MMA star is awaiting discipline from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 11/30/2018.