GettyBeing a good sportsman involves admitting to, and learning from your mistakes, seeing each loss and victory as a learning process.
After losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in their hotly anticipated and ultimately controversial bout in Las Vegas, Conor McGregor has now broken down his defeat.
Addressing fans on Instagram, the 30-year-old Irishman revealed there’d been two crucial mistakes he made, which ultimately led to his downfall at UFC 229.
Mistakes he will be preparing for next time around…
Reflecting on the fight, McGregor felt he performed well during the first and third rounds, only letting himself down during the second and fourth.
The Notorious explained:
Thoughts on my last fight.
Round 1. I believe from a sport standpoint, round 1 was his. Top position against the fence. Zero position advancement or damage inflicted. But top position. [sic]
From a fight standpoint the first round is mine.
Actual shots landed and a willingness to engage. Straight left early. Knee to the head on the low shot. Elbows in any and all tie up scenarios. Opponent just holding the legs against the fence for almost the entire round.
Round 2 he is running away around the cage before being blessed with a right hand that changed the course of the round, and the fight. [sic]
It was a nice shot.
After the shot I bounced back up to engage instantly, but again he dipped under to disengage. That is the sport and it was a smart move that led to a dominant round, so no issue. Well played.
GettyHe continued:
If I stay switched on and give his stand up even a little more respect, that right hand never gets close and we are talking completely different now.
I gave his upright fighting no respect in preparation. No specific stand up spars whatsoever.
Attacking grapplers/wrestlers only.
That won’t happen again.
I also gave my attacking grappling no respect. To defense [sic] minded.
Lessons.
Offering advice to his fans, while admitting his own faults, McGregor went on to write:
Listen to nobody but yourself on your skill set. You are the master of your own universe. I am the master of this. I must take my own advice.
Round 3. After the worst round of my fighting career, I come back and win this round. Again walking forward, walking him down, and willing to engage.
Round 4. My recovery was not where it could have been here. That is my fault.
Although winning the early exchanges in 4, he dips under again and I end up in a bad position with over 3 on the clock. I work to regain position and end up upright, with my back to the fence. [sic]
A stable position. Here however, I made a critical error of abandoning my over hook at this crucial time, exposing the back, and I end up beaten fair and square.
GettyThe former UFC lightweight champ concluded:
What can I say? It was a great fight and it was my pleasure. I will be back with my confidence high. Fully prepared.
If it is not the rematch right away, no problem. I will face the next in line. It’s all me always, anyway.
See you soon my fighting fans I love you all.
The UFC 229 bout marked McGregor’s return to the Octagon after almost two years. The build up to the event saw McGregor trash talk Nurmagomedov about his heritage and religious beliefs.
Nurmagomedov, who’d established himself as a force to be reckoned with in McGregor’s absence, retaliated by instigating a post-fight brawl which has since overshadowed the fight itself.
Both fighters will appear at a Nevada State Athletic Commission hearing tomorrow (Wednesday October 24), where it’s expected sanctions will be handed out.
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.