Conor McGregor on 'correct path of evolution,' says Manny Pacquiao prep contributed to loss
Conor McGregor lays out specific issues he thinks led to his demise against Dustin Poirier.
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Conor McGregor suffered a number of firsts when Dustin Poirier knocked him out. However, according to the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, the “firsts” weren’t all bad.
In a lengthy statement issued Wednesday on Instagram, McGregor (22-5 MMA, 10-3 UFC) broke down his loss to Poirier (27-6 MMA, 20-6 UFC). A 416-word analysis was accompanied by a highlight video of his successes in the UFC 257 main event.
“I am most certainly on the right path,” McGregor wrote. “Despite the loss, I am on the correct path of evolution.”
McGregor explained how a third fight against Poirier would go differently and voiced confidence in his chances at winning. He acknowledged Poirier’s leg kicks, a problem he hadn’t encountered in prior fights. McGregor blamed his preparation and focus on a potential future boxing match with Manny Pacquiao as being the driving force of a failing outcome.
“A little single disciplined in my approach and stance with mostly boxing,” McGregor wrote. “It’s what I get for picking this bout and opponent as a precursor to a boxing match against Pacman. I deserved to get the legs kicked off me going in with this thinking. This is not the game to play around with.
“Besides this tho [sic] my shots (were) sharp and I was in full control. Albeit the leg attacks (were) building up on me throughout the course. 18 in total thrown at me, with the final one buckling my leg fully, that was that. The peroneal nerve compromised. Fascinating! First time to experience it.”
As for positive takeaways, McGregor praised his own cardio and endurance. For the first time, he said, he felt fresh following grappling exchanges and still managed to pack his usual power.
“I was in second gear cruising this fight,” McGregor wrote. “Best condition I’ve ever been in. After the wrestling and clinch exchanges my shots still held their pop. First time for me with this so I am very encouraged to keep going. It was the first time I did not use/nor need the stool between rounds also. I did need the stool after tho [sic] that’s for sure.”
Though mostly a self-critique, McGregor closed by tipping his cap to Poirier for his victory, all the while voicing anticipation of a future trilogy fight.
“A tremendous finishing flurry by my opponent,” McGregor wrote. “Hats off! A well fought fight by The Diamond. 1 a piece now with a Trilogy [sic] bout for all the marbles! Wow! Exciting! Not a trilogy I was expecting, nor the tactical affair I was anticipating, but I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t meant to be. This is exactly how this was always meant to be! Buzzing!!”
Check out McGregor’s full post below: