John Kavanagh has gained a reputation as one of the world’s most recognised MMA coaches
As Conor McGregor’s coach, Kavanagh has been entrusted with getting ‘The Notorious’ ring-ready since the latter began his assault on the UFC. When you look at the two UFC World Championships McGregor has won, it’s easy to see how Kavanagh has become a household name too.
Yesterday, Kavanagh’s Straight Blast Gym in Dublin played host to athletes from a different kind of in-ring competition – WWE superstars Daniel Bryan and Becky Lynch.
Daniel Bryan and Becky Lynch train with John Kavanagh
WWE Women’s Raw & SmackDown Champion Lynch and SmackDown Tag Team Champion Bryan joined Kavanagh for a private workout ahead of WWE Dublin, home to Conor McGregor.
It’s not the first time Kavanagh has put Lynch through her paces in the gym – the pair trained together during a visit to Ireland in 2018.
Yesterday’s workout was only a warm up for Becky Lynch. Last night, she successfully defended her SmackDown title against Charlotte Flair. There was a bumper crowd at the Dublin’s 3 Arena, with Kavanagh himself in the audience.
Ecstatic with her win, Lynch took to Instagram to thank her devoted fans: “I left home to find out who I was. I come back to remember who I am. #ThankYouIreland.”
Who is John Kavanagh, Conor McGregor’s coach?
Although McGregor is the name you most associate with Irish MMA, it is actually Kavanagh who popularised the sport in Ireland.
He was inspired to take up combat sports after seeing an early UFC show. Kavanagh then went on to fight in some of the first MMA events in Ireland. He is the first Irishman to become a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Nowadays, he’s rightfully recognised as one of the most successful and respected MMA coaches on the planet. As well as his work with McGregor, Kavanagh has trained a whole host of top fighters from a variety of disciplines. He won the 2017 ‘Coach of the Year’ at the World MMA Awards.
Will Kavanagh ever chance his hand at WWE coaching? Only time will tell. From yesterday’s workout, it certainly looked like Lynch and Bryan appreciated his help.
WWE superstars will be at London O2 Arena on Monday and Tuesday to film Raw and SmackDown Live. Both shows will be broadcast worldwide.
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