‘He’s too sharp’ – Conor McGregor’s coach shares bold UFC 303 prediction as he compares Michael Chandler to famous KO victim

Conor McGregor’s trainer believes he will make quick work of his returning opponent.

The former doubleweight champion hasn’t fought since breaking his leg during a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in July 2021, but he is expected to return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303.

John Kavanagh, who has been McGregor’s head trainer for his entire career, will be by his side when he returns to the Octagon in Las Vegas on June 29.

The owner of Straight Blast Gym (SBG) says his biggest star already looks great in training.

“He looks super skilled,” Kavanagh told Andy Stevenson of Severe MMA.

“He came back on the mats more lively than ever. Of course we have to do the tests and prepare to be ready for the competition, but his technique is still sharp.

Kavanagh is confident McGregor will quickly knock out Chandler at UFC 303.

The famed MMA coach sees similarities between Chandler and Chad Mendes, who were stopped by McGregor in two rounds while fighting for the interim featherweight title in 2015.

Kavanagh added: “I’ve said it from the beginning, I see similarities with the Mendes fight. I’d be surprised if it was two rounds.

“I would be surprised. He just hits too hard, he’s too sharp.

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“Is there going to be some breakage and some removal and all that? Maybe. But every trick starts standing and his ability to get back there is underrated, so I’d be surprised if we see two tricks.

Kavanagh may have called the ending, but McGregor went even further by revealing the shot he plans to knock out Chandler with – and he’s perfected it in the gym.

“Mystic Mac” predicts a kick from his broken leg will give him victory at UFC 303.

“I’m ‘Terminator’ now,” he said on This Life of Mine with James Corden.

“I have a titanium rod that goes into the knee and goes down to the bone, down to the ankle. It’s unbreakable, so I have carte blanche to kick it now, so I’m ready to go and I’m excited.

“I wish and I will work to land that kick with that steel bar in the leg against an opponent and get them out of there.

“I want to see a picture of me in the octagon with my leg broken, and then I want to see a picture of me in the octagon with my leg wrapped around my opponent’s neck or head and putting them side by side. “