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19th Jan 2016

VIDEO: Conor McGregor looks fierce as he prepares for UFC 197

Kevin Beirne

This time last year Conor McGregor was fighting for some respect. Now he’s fighting for a second title.

In the space of just 12 months The Notorious could go from over-hyped brat to the first dual-champion in the history of the UFC.

The Irishman takes on Rafael dos Anjos on March 5 for the lightweight title, and you can tell he’s taking the challenge very seriously.

After bulking up massively and shaving his head, McGregor looks very different than he did when he took down Jose Aldo after just 13 seconds.

Having spent some time in California with training partner Peter Queally, the featherweight champ looks in the shape of his life.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAsRuf3rzhR/

McGregor has also been working on his striking. The move up a weight class to lightweight means he’ll be facing stronger hitters than he has so far in his UFC career.

But The Notorious can pack a punch himself. As he said after defeating Aldo in December, “Nobody can take that left hand”.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAtpWyTrziD/

While the above video doesn’t give too much away, the picture below certainly looks like a man ready to fight.

Good luck Rafael dos Anjos. You’re going to need it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAsT7_mLzmT/