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This past weekend, Conor McGregor returned to real fight training for the first time since breaking his leg at UFC 264, hitting pads and promising “the greatest comeback in sports history.” McGregor also revealed that in two months, he will be cleared to return to full training, including kicking and grappling, and with his comeback on the horizon, it seems McGregor is ready to pick right back up where he left off: antagonizing Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier.
This past weekend at UFC 267, Nurmagomedov’s own hand-picked successor Islam Makhachev dazzled, tearing through Dan Hooker with a first-round kimura, and last night, McGregor hopped on Twitter and began discussing how to defend kimuras, specifically, citing his own (illegal) use of a knee from his back against Nurmagomedov, and arguing that the strike should be legalized.
Defense to the kimura. Stop that step over the head at all cost. Keep that hand wrapped around the back to stop it and be presented with a lovely opportunity to knee the eyeball.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
I call it the springbok knee. Legalize!!! https://t.co/usFrX7lmoz
The knee was a sweetener but I could have sat there all day even without. That kimura, which was fully locked and gripped, was not getting finished.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
Where ? How? He is facing away. He has to turn back into me. Thus releasing the kimura grip entirely. Which is what you want. I am for knees to grounded opponents. As can see here with my beautiful, innovative one.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
Of course, as with any McGregor post, numerous fans pointed out that not only was McGregor defeated by the grappling of Nurmagomedov, but that he also struggled with Dustin Poirier’s grappling, which then opened that can of worms back up.
Rip to the Da the whole family got boxed around in there. God bless pic.twitter.com/QIHumMqwbN
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
Score first. Check the trilogy. I was up 8 low kicks to 1 before the injury.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
I mean, I don’t care. I won’t ever look to the ref or anyone bar myself to adjust in a fight. You do what you got to do in there. The leg was broke before the guillotine it’s why I went for it. He was getting lumped around every where. Open space. Clinch. Bottom. Lumped around.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
McGregor famously lost his trilogy fight with Poirier at UFC 264 and then spewed vitriol at Poirier while doctors attended to his broken leg, discounting the loss as illegitimate and threatening to kill Poirier in his sleep. Since the loss, McGregor has repeatedly stuck to this line, maintaining that he was winning the fight before the injury, and with his return to full-time training now closing in, “Notorious” is staying the course, again refusing to accept the loss, saying that he was injured of his own accord and from nothing Poirier did. He also argued that he was winning the fight (despite all three judges scoring the first round for Poirier).
Good angle. Can see the leg was broke before I even stood up. It was broke before the guillotine even. It’s why I went for it. 4 shots to zero here in this clip to close the fight before the injury. This fight was going my way 100%. But big congrats lads hahaha ye right. Rats. pic.twitter.com/Q7DkcKo4ar
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
Can see the weight in those upkicks he was eating here as well. Which weren’t even the two heaviest upkicks I landed. Where was he going from open guard top here? He not like upkicks thru the face? Elbows down thru the crown? No like? Tough shit, see ya soon.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
Pumped where? He was lumped around every position. Open space. Clinch. Bottom. There was nowhere he could go if that goes in that second round. You just a blind hater bro I’m sorry. God bless ya.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
Lol what? Push shots they were from top. Garbage. Zero effect. Look at him post fight he was chewed up in the brain mate. His head was sorer, my leg was sorer, who won the fight? A riddle.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
Lol. Look at the post fight interviews. He didn’t know what happened to his head. I dug those elbows into his brain. They change the whole make up of who are, them elbows. If anything they should be illegal ahahahah straight down into the soft spot of the crown.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
No loss was had here. That was my fight to win before the injury.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
100%! Would have been a corker of a second round. Onwards we go.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
It cracked from one of my own kicks early in the round. There was no check. Not one.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
I became a master at fighting on one leg since my acl reconstruction in 2013. I won all my ufc world titles on one leg. It’s why I was able to maneuver thru the fight even tho it was snapped, and not bear weight fully until the very last seconds of the round.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
Because it’s in my blood to fight. If I am to fight, I am fighting.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
No. It’s harder to beat a man a second time for sure but I relish challenges. Onwards we go. This ain’t over!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
After responding to fans and critics, McGregor wrapped up his social media session again promising a “special” return.
Life is not what happens to you but how you handle what happens to you. pic.twitter.com/d2jP28fP4F
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
The spirit of a warrior cannot be penetrated! Be the warrior within you!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 2, 2021
We are getting ready for something special! Team McGregor ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/hzKEZLlRHg
McGregor is targeting a return to the cage in 2022.
TOP STORIES
Beef. Petr Yan on ‘chicken heart’ Aljamain Sterling: ‘The man who ran away once will always run again’.
Favorite. Dana White high on ‘savage’ Petr Yan after UFC 267 interim title win: ‘This guy is unbelievable’.
Negligence. Benoit Saint-Denis’ coach defends choice at UFC 267: ‘Never in my life would I have thrown in the towel’.
No Regrets. Dan Hardy doesn’t regret calling out Herb Dean at UFC Fight Island 3 despite subsequent fallout.
Target. Anthony Smith reveals knee injury that scratched Aleksandar Rakic rematch, now targets Jan Blachowicz.
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
UFC Embedded.
Kamaru Usman walks through the end of his first fight with Colby Covington.
Kamaru Usman fight camp.
Peter Queally’s road to the title.
LISTEN UP
Fighter vs. Writer. Belal Muhammad discusses UFC 267 and UFC 268.
The Co-Main Event. Reacting to UFC 267 and previewing UFC 268.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Aljamain Sterling.
I said what I said https://t.co/4Tynaez2SU
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 1, 2021
Wait, but he lost his last fight, why does he get a stone now? That wasn’t a title defense, it was winning a new title. And an interim one at that!
2nd stone obtained for @PetrYanUFC
— UFC (@ufc) October 31, 2021
Stone to be set by Bixlers Jewelers - Official UFC Licensed Jeweler.
[ #UFC267 | https://t.co/cTNINBqtYw | Shop the UFC/Bixlers collection on @UFCStore and @Bixlers_Jewlers ] pic.twitter.com/TP5OCDeqVR
Burn.
@stylebender hey bro, how much you lose? pic.twitter.com/n2rKhZqWbG
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) November 1, 2021
Prediction.
True pick em .gun to my head I’m leaning Justin because of the leg kicks and the fact Mike doesn’t have a great deal of D, Mike’s easiest path is the ground , He could dominate JG there . But it will stay standing and I’d say The second most violent man gets it done JG KO
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) November 1, 2021
Shooting his shot.
“Blazin’ Trails” Roll It 170lbs -CSO- # @danawhite @NateDiaz209 pic.twitter.com/jwuT3yre0w
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) November 2, 2021
Advice.
So y’all WWs are just going to let Khamzat Chimaev pass y’all in the rankings, title shots & not call him out. Y’all tripping
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 1, 2021
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Who wins this weekend?
This poll is closed
-
26%
Peter Queally
(122 votes) -
73%
Patricky Pitbull
(333 votes)
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