Conor McGregor doesn't seem the person he once was in the Octagon or on the mic, according to Dustin Poirier's coach
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Alan Dawson
Jul 20, 2021, 20:08 IST
Conor McGregor.
John Locher/AP Images
Conor McGregor isn't the same fighter he once was.
That's according to renowned MMA coach Mike Brown, who trains Dustin Poirier.
Brown also refutes the narrative McGregor and his team are spinning regarding his recent loss.
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Conor McGregor's skillsets in combat and in the promotion of an event have seemingly deteriorated with age.
That's according to renowned MMA coach Mike Brown, who trains Dustin Poirier among other A-list fighters. He said this week that the Irishman is not "the same fighter" he once was, and is not as sharp with his tongue, either.
"He doesn't seem to be quite the same fighter both in the ring and with his promotion wise, too," Brown told MMA Fighting. "Not sure what it is but something seems different."
In the same interview, he said: "I'm not sure what it is but he did seem much sharper with his tongue in the past."
Brown and Poirier have shared great success together as the American fighter scored the 20th win of his UFC career earlier this month, when he finished McGregor after five minutes of fighting in a lightweight match at UFC 264.
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It was the second win Poirier notched at McGregor's expense this year, edging their rivalry 2-1.
Though McGregor spammed leg kicks in the opening minute, Poirier forced his authority in striking exchanges on the feet, before gaining ground control for much of that first round.
This is a position McGregor seemingly hopes to build off so that he can campaign for a fourth fight with Poirier once he recovers from his injury.
McGregor's long-time trainer John Kavanagh has backed McGregor's position, as the Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt said he was unconcerned by the first round.
"I thought he looked really, really good in there," said Kavanagh.
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Brown counters the narrative McGregor and Kavanagh are spinning
Brown told MMA Fighting that he cannot understand how McGregor and Kavanagh have come to these conclusions.
"It's not just somebody's opinion, we're talking about the judges' scorecards," Brown said. "We had two of the judges had a 10-8 round," suggesting dominance. Brown added: "I don't know how anyone would consider that going well."
Brown finished by saying it is likely Poirier will now fight for the UFC lightweight championship. "At this point, I imagine [Charles] Oliveira will be next," he said.
McGregor, meanwhile, is out of action for the rest of the year as the Nevada State Athletic Commission gave him a six-month medical suspension.
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