Conor McGregor's BJJ
The Overlooked Aspect of a Striking Sensation
Conor McGregor, the notorious MMA fighter known for his striking prowess and flamboyant persona, has captivated audiences worldwide. While his striking skills usually steal the spotlight, an often overlooked aspect of McGregor's game is his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). In this article, we'll take a closer look at McGregor's BJJ journey and the role it has played in his MMA career.
The Early Years: Ground Game Foundations
Conor McGregor began his martial arts journey as a boxer, but when he transitioned into MMA, he needed a well-rounded skill set. This led him to John Kavanagh's Straight Blast Gym (SBG), where he began to hone his grappling skills, under the tutelage of Kavanagh, a black belt in BJJ.
Conor McGregor's BJJ skills are often overshadowed by his striking but are crucial to his MMA game. While primarily defensive, his ground game has had pivotal moments and continues to evolve.
The Development of a Ground Game
Defensive Savvy
McGregor's ground game has often been showcased in a defensive capacity. For example, his ability to defend against takedowns and quickly return to his feet has been instrumental in many of his victories.
Offensive Moments
While not known as a submission artist, McGregor has shown glimpses of offensive BJJ capabilities. Notably, he submitted Dave Hill in 2012 to win the Cage Warriors Featherweight title via rear-naked choke.
The Notable Fights
vs. Chad Mendes: A Defensive Display
When McGregor fought Mendes at UFC 189, he showcased his ability to withstand ground pressure and eventually find a way back to his feet, where he dominated and won by TKO.
vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov: Lessons Learned
McGregor's fight with Khabib exposed limitations in his ground game. Despite his defensive skills, he was unable to deal with Khabib's elite grappling and eventually tapped to a neck crank.
The Importance of BJJ in McGregor's Career
Though not his primary strength, BJJ has been crucial in making McGregor a well-rounded fighter. His ground skills often serve as an insurance policy that allows him to strike more freely, knowing that he can defend himself if the fight goes to the mat.
What Lies Ahead?
As McGregor continues his MMA journey, the role of BJJ may become even more significant. The landscape of the sport is changing, with an increasing number of high-level grapplers entering the arena. To remain competitive, McGregor's ground game will likely need further refinement.
Final Thoughts
Conor McGregor's BJJ is an essential yet often understated component of his fighting arsenal. Though overshadowed by his striking, his ground game has played a pivotal role in his rise to stardom and will likely continue to be a critical aspect of his overall MMA game. Whether or not McGregor chooses to further invest in his BJJ skills could influence the latter stages of his remarkable career.
Frequently Asked Questions: Conor McGregor BJJ
Basic Info
Q: What is Conor McGregor's background in BJJ?
A: Conor McGregor is primarily known for his striking skills but he has also trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
BJJ Belt Ranking
Q: What is Conor McGregor's Jiu Jitsu belt ranking?
A: As of January 2022, Conor McGregor holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Training and Coaches
Q: Who are Conor McGregor's BJJ coaches?
A: McGregor has trained with several coaches throughout his career, but John Kavanagh is his main MMA and Jiu-Jitsu coach.
Dillon Danis
Q: What is Dillon Danis' Jiu Jitsu record, and what's his relationship to Conor McGregor?
A: Dillon Danis is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and has competed at a high level in grappling tournaments. He has also been a training partner and friend to Conor McGregor.
Significance
Q: How significant is Conor McGregor's Jiu Jitsu in his fighting style?
A: While McGregor is primarily a striker, his BJJ training helps him to be a more well-rounded fighter, capable of defending takedowns and submissions.
BJJ Matches
Q: Has Conor McGregor competed solely in BJJ competitions?
A: McGregor is primarily an MMA fighter and has not focused on pure Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions.
Skill Assessment
Q: How good is Conor McGregor's BJJ?
A: McGregor's BJJ is generally considered to be competent, although it's not his primary fighting style. He has shown the ability to defend against submissions and engage in grappling when necessary.
BJJ in Fights
Q: Can you provide examples where Conor McGregor's Jiu Jitsu was evident in his fights?
A: McGregor has used his BJJ skills in various fights for ground defense and, occasionally, for ground offense. However, his striking usually takes the spotlight.
Future in BJJ
Q: Will Conor McGregor focus more on BJJ in the future?
A: That's difficult to say, as McGregor's focus has been more on MMA and boxing. However, he continues to train in BJJ as part of his MMA skill set.
Popular Opinion
Q: What do BJJ practitioners generally think of Conor McGregor's Jiu Jitsu?
A: Opinions vary, but many in the BJJ community respect McGregor's skills while acknowledging that his primary strength lies in his striking.