#2 John Kavanagh may have seen it coming
John Kavanagh and Conor McGregor have been by each other's side for the majority of their rise to MMA fame. However, Kavanagh may have sensed that it was finally time for the magical duo to part ways.
Hours before McGregor faced Poirier in the UFC 264 main event, his head coach John Kavanagh posted a throwback picture of the Irishman. The picture of McGregor and Kavanagh from their younger days was accompanied by a cryptic caption, suggesting it could be their last ride.
"Once more into the fray/ Into the last good fight I'll ever know/ Live and die on this day/ Live and die on this day," John Kavanagh wrote.
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Having seen the rise of Conor McGregor from plumbing assistant to a two-division UFC champion, John Kavanagh could be content with calling for an end to their professional relationship.
#1 Conor McGregor may be looking to develop other aspects of his game
Whilst he's famously known for his unorthodox wide striking stance, Conor McGregor boasts a fairly average set of grappling stats, including a 55% takedown accuracy and 66% takedown defense. As he has seemingly exhausted his arsenal of knockout punches, it might be wise for McGregor to develop a more well-rounded game.
The idea seems to have crossed his mind, as Conor McGregor opted to jump a guillotine against a jiu-jitsu black belt like Dustin Poirier. In all likelihood it was a shot in desperation that only reinforces the fact that McGregor was exploring other avenues when in trouble.
While John Kavangh has since claimed to have orchestrated the move, it certainly didn't work out under his supervision. With that in mind, Conor McGregor should consider replacing Kavanagh in favor of a more diversified coach.