The MMA world is still recovering from the big turnaround at UFC 257, where Dustin Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor in the middle of the second round. The internet is full of analysts from major networks at Tiktok destroying the struggle to locate exactly how Poirier turned the tide in the second round and left “The Notorious” Conor McGregor meaningless on the screen.
Dustin’s calf kicks definitely played an important role in cushioning McGregor’s leg and hampering his movements. That’s what AKA head coach Javier Mendez learned when he spoke to Submission Radio recently, and he continued to wonder how the McGregor team could let him go to war without an answer to those particular attacks.
“When I saw Dustin start going for the leg kicks, I said, oh my God, Conor’s stance was not made to check correctly, leg kicks like that,” said Mendez. “Especially kicks in the calf. So, I thought this would be a big problem. And then when he hit Dustin with the good shot and Dustin took it, that’s when I kind of knew, oh man, things are going to change. And sure enough, they did. And it was a great game plan for Dustin to work the kicks in the leg, in the calf. And it was a bad judgment for Conor not to be prepared for that. ”
“I don’t understand how you can’t be prepared for something like that, when that’s what everyone is going to do,” he continued. “Khabib, I told him, I reminded him every day that Justin is coming up behind his legs, Justin is coming up behind his legs. Every day I told him that. And you would think that you would also be remembered because this is a great weapon. Until the fighters learn to deal with it, it will be a great weapon, guys, a great weapon. “
It was also a left-handed versus left-handed situation, which left McGregor’s legs even more exposed than they would otherwise be. Add to the fact that Poirier is known in the gym for his obliterating leg kicks and that is a big oversight in game planning. Mendez wondered if anything different in the way McGregor set up his training ground led to his downfall.
“[Inactivity] it affects things, and that’s what he’s saying, ”said Mendez. “But I happen to know, too, when you make changes at camp, when things weren’t broken, why change them? I heard that he went to Portugal, or something like that, to train. But what was wrong with the place where he always trained? I do not know. It seems like he made a lot of changes, and why change when things are not broken? ”
“I always told Khabib and all those guys, when you’re doing something good and you’re winning, why change? Why try to change things? There is no need to change things if things are working. That’s what I’m thinking. I am not saying that I am right; I’m just saying that this is what I’m thinking ”.
According to McGregor, this is the same team that has played since the beginning, only imported into the gymnasium of Portugal by its coaches (themselves members of the team since Diaz’s first defeat). But who knows, maybe things were a little chic and relaxed there in relation to Dublin. Perhaps there really weren’t enough people in positions of authority to keep McGregor on track. Or maybe McGregor just got hit by a bad kick that popped his calf and these things happen in combat sports.
We think we need more data. Which apparently will happen at some point, as McGregor is already chasing the UFC to set up a third fight with Dustin Poirier. If he returns against “Diamond” or enters the octagon against someone else, we will see if he reshapes his game and better protects his legs, especially now that everyone will undoubtedly attack them in the future.