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Gunnar Nelson is worried about Conor McGregor.
An outspoken critic of drastic weight-cutting in MMA, Nelson says his good friend and training partner is pushing the limit cutting down to 145 pounds.
"Yea, he does a big cut," Nelson told Submission Radio. "He doesn't like it and I don't think he's going to do it much longer. I think he's going to move up. I think he wants to move up. I don't blame it. I wouldn't be able to this cut too many times. It definitely takes it out of you. There's no doubt.
"He has a lot of energy and he'll toughen through it and fight really well even though he does that cut. I just think, looking ahead, this isn't good for your health. I don't think he should do it many more times and I've told him that. That's my opinion."
Prior to making his UFC debut in 2013, McGregor held both the featherweight and lightweight title for the UK promotion Cage Warriors Fighting Championship. Of his 20 career bouts, 12 were contested at 155 pounds.
"It's definitely not good for the athletes in this sport," said Nelson. "It's not good for your health. It's not good for your brain. It's just not good and I don't see why we should be doing this. I think we should get rid of it quickly."
Nelson also all but confirmed McGregor's recent injury claim. Holding a Q&A in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland, McGregor told fans he "tore 80 percent" of his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) 14 weeks prior to his five-round main event bout at UFC 189 in July.
McGregor was originally booked to challenge featherweight champion Jose Aldo, but would ultimately win the interim title after scoring a second round TKO over late replacement Chad Mendes.
"He couldn't walk for a while," Nelson said of McGregor. "He couldn't wrestle or grapple for a long time in the camp. He basically just did rounds of boxing and checking the kicks. He showed up on one leg. That's basically what happened. He did the best he could. He was injured. There's no doubt. He was injured going into the fight and still performed. I think that's very respectful."
Nelson faces Demian Maia Dec. 12 at UFC 194, the same night McGregor is re-booked to unify the title against Aldo.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
'You on your way, p----?' Jon Jones and UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier fail to get together for impromptu meeting at Jackson's MMA.
The real champ. Dave Meltzer explains why Daniel Cormier needs the Jon Jones fight every bit as much as Jones does.
Vitor on Deadspin. Vitor Belfort says UFC, commission approved his pre-UFC 152 drug tests. "I shared all my tests, my exams with them, and one went public, I think they shared my privates, but everything got approval."
'I love to hear his input.' Holly Holm says Jon Jones has been 'instrumental' in helping her prepare for Ronda Rousey.
Fightweets. Dave Doyle answers your questions on Ronda Rousey, record crowds, and mounting pressure.
MEDIA STEW
Conor McGregor had a slap fight with the damn Mountain that rides.
Highlights from CES 31.
Anthony Pettis says he's "re-inventing" himself by switching up his training.
Carlos Condit answers your questions while Diego Sanchez grunts in the background.
Firas Zahabi teaches you how to get the hell out of the plum.
TTTHS.
Long watches.
KNUCKLE UP #342: Belfort, Henderson, UFC FN 77 + Why/How the Future Will Be Murder
...
Submission Radio #71 Chad Mendes, Paige VanZant, Gunnar Nelson, Elias Cepeda
TWEETS
And we're off.
@JonnyBones if that's how we wanna do it. I can be in new Mexico in a few hours. And we can do it every day until fight day comes.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 30, 2015
Perfect Daniel, I'll be at Jackson's MMA grand opening this Saturday Oct 31st if you want to stop by. #BringyourKleenex
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 30, 2015
Jon boy I'll be there! I'm a man I don't playing games. See u Saturday! @JonnyBones
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 30, 2015
Awesome, I'll be waiting. 301 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 30, 2015
I'm gonna be there but I need u to make it to the octagon, we don't wanna violate parole now do we :) @JonnyBones
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 30, 2015
Too pussy to fight at the garden but flies all the way to Albuquerque to prove he's a man #Scratchingmyhead you on your way pussy?
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 31, 2015
I'm here they won't let me in! Next time he has to come to the Bay! pic.twitter.com/xUezZqo63Q
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 31, 2015
Did this idiot seriously just Photoshop a photo? Funny how not one of the thousand people who SHOWED UP saw you today. #Patheticattempt
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 31, 2015
I'm done talking with you for now Carlton Banks. You are losing this battle, let's just prepare for the real one. #Unbelievable #NiceTry
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 31, 2015
@angeldperez I think I just Peed a little bit
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) November 2, 2015
Khabib reactions.
Ya my rib hurts too.
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) October 30, 2015
@TeamKhabib keep your head up good luck with the recovery...
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) October 30, 2015
This guy is made of glass. https://t.co/4PZqEg9grl
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) October 30, 2015
Speedy recovery insallah. Can't wait to see u come back @TeamKhabib
— Alptekin Ozkilic (@alpozkilicmma) October 30, 2015
@TeamKhabib got injured bcause he trains more than any1 and willing to fight more th any1.Not like u shitty fghtrs lk willbrooks & tomlauler
— Rustam Khabilov (@RustamTheTiger) October 30, 2015
The Russian khabib has 3injuries in a row now. Them Russian mountains are too sore on him..
— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) October 30, 2015
@TeamKhabib very sad to hear about the injury. Get well bro and come back stronger.
— Mairbek Taisumov (@MairbekTaisumov) October 30, 2015
Enough said, heal up fast, come back and get what belongs to you brother. @TeamKhabib @ufc @danawhite pic.twitter.com/mH1hfVQdWA
— Ruslan Magomedov (@MagomedovUFC) October 30, 2015
Been seeing alot of ppl hating on fighter's because of injuries. Not cool this is not a video game our bodies take serious damage.
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) October 30, 2015
If you've never fought before you don't know shit about injuries to be hating so keep your two cents cause I don't wanna leave you broke.
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) October 30, 2015
Not happy.
I talked to the commission to tell the truth and take the responsibilities for my acts. https://t.co/gxAe5mlIaM
— Rousimar Palhares (@ToquinhoMMA) October 30, 2015
I don't agree with the punishment, referee Steve Mazzagatti, was obvious in an inadequate position. https://t.co/gxAe5mlIaM
— Rousimar Palhares (@ToquinhoMMA) October 30, 2015
Buds.
Thank you gggboxing for stopping by teamgfc before we left for #ufc193 !! #rouseyVSholm #ufcMelbourne... https://t.co/0CbOcVRqFm
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) November 1, 2015
#Repost @cowboycerrone with @repostapp. ・・・ What a great game manning #18 and Demaryius Th... https://t.co/uNME0LBavN pic.twitter.com/RvEIwfrd9p
— JacksonWinkMMA (@JacksonWinkMMA) November 2, 2015
Fighter summit.
UFC Summit dinner in the RedRock Casino in Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/IJY2LnDJEl
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) November 2, 2015
My teammate @JobySanchez and I with @forestgriffin , @danawhite and @lorenzofertitta pic.twitter.com/YrHfoOhaoO
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 2, 2015
Killing bags.
Yeah..... So about that kick ... @MMAStandUpCoach @ufc pic.twitter.com/GFQrBZPSCW
— U R I A H H A L L (@UriahHallMMA) November 2, 2015
Whoops.
Welp nothing will beat this today great job @ufc pic.twitter.com/PSHbZItxrW
— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) November 1, 2015
Happy holidays.
.@ufc Happy Halloween from the "REAL" champ! #monsterenergy #ufc #nutrasumma #ToyotaEscondito... https://t.co/BmUOlM6tvm
— Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) November 1, 2015
#WhoWoreItBest #BellatorMMA Prez @ScottCoker or @KimboSlice? Get your DIY #KimboBeard now https://t.co/bkn86qfzh2 pic.twitter.com/qPN8YkNOVS
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 30, 2015
Legally blonde ☺️ pic.twitter.com/OMwbxGAruI
— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) November 1, 2015
Even @lorenzofertitta - gets in HALLOWEEN spirit. https://t.co/18L0XobNhI pic.twitter.com/ELd8TztjUO
— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) October 30, 2015
Just killed a few people...#familynight #happyhalloween #superfrenchie https://t.co/zOADmOztsR
— Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) November 1, 2015
Halloween fun #halloween2015 #halloweenwhores pic.twitter.com/y268kBJtkp
— 'Rowdy' Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) November 1, 2015
#Halloween ❤️ @Goyito_Perez pic.twitter.com/iu9b8mDJJg
— Ileana Padilla (@Ilepadilla) November 1, 2015
I caught a bunny tonight! I think I'll keep her! @ufc @Playboy @IngrainedMedia pic.twitter.com/ulagaucEt5
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) November 1, 2015
Here was our insensitive costume from Friday night. With my sexy Cecil the lion @daisybader https://t.co/f5sF5TgBrr
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) November 1, 2015
Sister act! https://t.co/3ERSip04Fh
— Rose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas) November 1, 2015
#HappyHalloween creepy p p pic.twitter.com/ZifQR2G3gT
— Brandon Thatch (@RUKUSMMA303) October 30, 2015
Excuse me where's your #MsMarvel section ?? https://t.co/iM20VGO95U
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) November 1, 2015
Happy Halloween #skeleton#killercub#FrightNight https://t.co/Xg382jdlRS
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 1, 2015
Happy Halloween! https://t.co/rchF3C72Mg
— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) November 1, 2015
Happy Halloween!! #LakerGirl #CheerLeader pic.twitter.com/JEiqTxCCL1
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) November 1, 2015
Dressing up! pic.twitter.com/APhxYljVjb
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) November 1, 2015
I was mad for Thor but he didn't like my hat. #halloween pic.twitter.com/DGjrAumBSG
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 1, 2015
#Halloween https://t.co/4r5wApFRDJ
— Jhenny UFC (@JhennyUfc) November 1, 2015
Uriah "Akuma" Hall vs Dark "Bluebelt" Vader, the journey begins weclome to the #darkside #badguys pic.twitter.com/V7lg0Jabmv
— Clayton Hires (@MMAStandUpCoach) November 1, 2015
Note to self , kids costumes don't fit when you have a giant ass pic.twitter.com/7wEEzAoPQJ
— Mitch Clarke (@MitchClarkeMMA) October 30, 2015
Well, my halloween costume did not arrive so I had to make one up in 2 hours, how did I do??... https://t.co/htIHcU2bAe
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) November 1, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 2015)
Edson Barboza vs. Tony Ferguson at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale
Houston Alexander vs. Guilherme Viana at Bellator 146
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.
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