Conor McGregor reveals he can’t kick to his ‘absolute level’ as he sends grim UFC warning to lightweight rivals
CONOR MCGREGOR admits his kicking is not to the “absolute level” it needs to be to get back inside the octagon.
The Notorious is in the final stages of recovering from the horrific broken leg he suffered in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier last July.
McGregor, 34, recently resumed kicking with his injured leg – although the limb has not recovered to the level it needs to be to resume his UFC career.
In an Instagram post with training pictures from his trip to Mallorca, McGregor wrote: “If you can’t hold your leg out straight at high kick level and maintain your balance and control here, you can’t kick to the absolute level that you can kick at.
“I cannot yet kick to the absolute level I can kick it. But I’m aware of where I need to go.
“Awareness is half the battle won in combat.”
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The UFC’s poster boy was seemingly on course to return to the cage in the autumn but is not expected to be back in action until early next year.
McGregor has been keeping a close eye on the developments in the stacked lightweight division – which will have a new champion come October 22 – over the last 12 months.
But the Irishman hasn’t been impressed by what he’s seen of his rivals durin his absence.
He continued: “I’ve the awareness that still despite all I am levels above all of those in my radar space of future fighting opponents.
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“By a wide margin. Already, as is. And also that I’ve a steel bar in one of them.
“And it’s like a whip. And I don’t give a f**k.
“Let me tell you something: The first person I’m back fighting here is getting kicked around that cage. You are all garbage.
“You may have a little yup the yard kick in your arsenal but it’s not at the speed, the power, the length and the control that it could be!”
McGregor is champing at the bit to get back inside the octagon and recently resumed mixed martial arts training at SBG Ireland in Dublin.
Head coach John Kavanagh told the BBC: “He’s healthy, happy and it’s great to have him back.
“The last few sessions in the gym here were MMA-orientated – he’s got the all-clear for that now.
“He did a great session last night, we got some great rounds in. He hasn’t lost a beat and was looking great.
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“Trust me, I got to have a bit of a wrestle with him last night and I felt it…
“When that silverback arm goes around your neck there’s a bit of an extra squeeze there… he’s very, very strong at the moment.”