Conor McGregor Rants About Underutilization Of Defense In MMA
While Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon continues to be worked out, the Irishman remains a prominent presence within the mixed martial arts (MMA) community online.
McGregor recently took to Instagram and issued out a lengthy rant regarding the underutilization of defense in MMA. Here’s his full statement.
“I’m not sure what does be going on in most trainers and fighters minds. What’s the most danger in a fight? Being clocked clean while over extended, without your feet under you and your defence fully open. Yes? Yes. Lights out. Good fucking night. So why the fuck are 99.9% of fighter and coach I see, all about wacking shots in full wack, with ZERO defensive or positioning responsibilities in there? You are setting yourself up to be clattered badly. Know that.
“Calculate how many punches you throw in practice Versus how many times you slip/roll/parry/pull/block in practice. It’s crazy. I estimate 1000 to 1 is the difference. In that ball park anyway. If you don’t practice these and just overload on punches and kicks and not much else it’s going to be your downfall. I can sit and put every ounce of power into a pad strike or bag strike. But imagine that pad is not there. You’re going out on your face. Even without being hit.
“Even with the pad there and you make full clean contact, too much force in the shot leaves you completely open. You can’t retract your guard or get your legs under you in time. You come in against a smooth operator he is going to take the point of impact away, or catch it cleanly for counter, and then what? Wide open. Sitting duck. Does my nut in seeing it all the time, and why I was always more spar heavy in my rise.
“Unrealistic practice develops too many bad habits to the already uneducated. Even if they do work defensive work it’s usually unrealistic. One example say, on giving shots to parry. But half throwing the shot for parry. This will then develop the habit of reaching for the soft punch. Who is that helping? That’s walking them into danger when the real pace of shot comes. And that’s just one small example. Get clued in guys.
“I am fully clued in, now more than I ever was, and I’m going to rip this game a new smile when I get back. I am also really eager to progress into real work with my son, who now at 2.5 years of age is beginning to piece together combinations. It’s all he wants to do. We’ve been training since the jump also. Day 1! Get with the program young fighters and coaches! Get with the fucking program. Otherwise..”
McGregor hasn’t fought since October of 2018 when he was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov in the fourth round of their UFC 229 main event. Nurmagomedov forced McGregor to tap after a tight neck crank. Now, McGregor is eager to get back to fighting action, and is preparing for his January 18 return. However, no official opponent has been named for “Notorious.”
It’s believed that Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone will be that opponent, as he has been reported to be the frontrunner to land the bout.
What do you make of McGregor’s rant on the underutilization of defense in MMA?
