Conor McGregor may have his detractors. But the reality is it takes more than a silver tongue and a knockout punch to do what he’s done. He’s beaten Jose Aldo, Eddie Alvarez, Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier, Chad Mendes, and Nate Diaz. McGregor also became a two-division champion along the way.
In this article, we’ll look at how McGregor’s high fight IQ, has been an important factor throughout his career. Everything from his mindset through to his training, strategy, and execution has given him an edge over the opposition.
Obsession With Movement
McGregor has often shown a willingness to think outside the box. That includes an endless interest in movement in all its forms and how that can be applied in a fight.
“I have an open mind, I study all combat. I study everyone’s movement and I look to take something from it,” McGregor once said.
It’s a fascination that even extends to the way animals move.
“Movement is something that I am obsessed with… to watch animals in their natural habitat and how they hunt and prey is spectacular,” McGregor once said on the Conan ‘O Brien Show.
McGregor expanded upon that in an interview with CNN.
“You don’t see a gorilla lifting weights. You see him moving naturally in his own natural state and that brings raw power. Control, control of posture, control of your frame … it is no wonder they are absolute animals, they are machines when they move, powerful beasts. It’s something I look to incorporate into my own game.”
McGregor has even sought out the help of movement coach Ido Portal to further his development. While some have mocked him for those training methods, he believed they helped. They definitely helped build even more mystique around him.
