Conor McGregor news: Coach John Kavanagh will think twice before working with UFC star again

McGregor’s long-term coach, John Kavanagh, has suggested the Irishman is entering the final stages of his career and should now start snubbing smaller fights

Conor McGregor’s long-term coach has suggested the UFC two-weight world champion may now be entering the final phase of his career.

John Kavanagh has worked with McGregor for his entire mixed martial arts career, but has admitted he would need to be convinced to return to the Irishman’s corner for particular fights going forward.

McGregor, 30, made UFC history when he defeated Eddie Alvarez to become the first fighter in the history of the promotion to hold titles in two weight divisions simultaneously, but has lost his last two fights.

He was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather in his professional boxing debut last year, before returning to the Octagon in October 2018 only to lose to Khabib Nurmagomedov in a lightweight title fight.

And Kavanagh has said he does not want to see McGregor risk himself unnecessarily in second-rate fights now that he is entering the final stages of his professional MMA career.

“He would certainly have to convince me to go again,” Kavanagh told the Irish Independent.

“I love him, I love the whole journey we've had but I'd need a good 'why'. It might be [Nate] Diaz again because he promised that fight. It might be a rematch with Khabib.

“But if it was just: 'Well, they want me to fight that guy' I think I'd say, 'I wish you the best.'

“He has a wife and two kids now and I don't want him taking more hits than he needs to.

“Khabib hit him with a punch in that fight that he has never been hit with in his career. And even Superman slows down at some stage.”