"That is boxing 101" - KSI's trainer commends Conor McGregor's striking skills, breaks down Irishman's last fight before UFC
Conor McGregor was no ordinary signing for the UFC. He was an established star and the face of Cage Warriors as a double champion when he signed a multi-fight contract for the UFC in 2013.
In his final fight at Cage Warriors, McGregor made history by becoming the first European to become a multi-division champion. The lightweight championship bout came against Ivan Buchinger and was a supreme display of striking.
Professional boxer Viddal Riley, better known as KSI's trainer, broke down the Irishman's performance in his final Cage Warriors fight for FightFront. Riley praised 'The Notorious' for his boxing and the double-threat he posed with his legs, too.
"So that is boxing 101. And then the knee comes in, obviously makes you life worse. We can't do that [in boxing] but bang and then yeah, see! That's why MMA is long, you know. If someone can box and then they still can knee you, and then switch right back into their speciality. It's [going to be] very long for you."
Riley also spoke about mixed martial arts being an unforgiving sport before labeling McGregor "perfect."
"You can over-commit with your backhand in boxing, end up in a clinch, 'Oops, I won't do that again.' MMA, you over-commit, you get kneed in your stomach. That's perfect for where he is. It is as close to boxing technique as you are gonna see with the dangers he has in front of him."
McGregor won the fight against Buchinger by knocking him out in the very first round and signed with the UFC soon after. The rest, as they say, is history.
Watch Viddal Riley's complete breakdown of MMA striking on YouTube:
Watch Conor McGregor's last Cage Warriors fight against Ivan Buchinger:
USADA refutes Conor McGregor's claim of being "clear for testing" amidst reports of a 2023 return
Conor McGregor has not fought since his third bout against Dustin Poirier in 2021. The Dublin native exited the USADA's drug testing pool but remains active in UFC's divisional rankings.
A return to the octagon constitutes six months of mandatory participation in USADA's drug testing pool. However, McGregor confirmed in a tweet that he would return to action after completing two tests in February 2023.
I am clear for testing in February. I will complete my two tests per USADA and we are booking a fight.
Per ESPN, USADA's Director of Communications Averi Walker revealed that no such exception may be applicable to Conor McGregor. Walker wrote in an email:
"McGregor is not enrolled in our testing pool and would have to be for six months unless an exception is granted, which we do not think would be applicable." [h/t ESPN]
The UFC has not confirmed any bout for one of their biggest superstars and fans will remain in the wait for his return to action.