UFC: Conor McGregor Genetically Powerful Like Mike Tyson But Hindered By Cardio Issues

Returning UFC superstar Conor McGregor might be genetically gifted with tremendous power in his hands like Mike Tyson, but some believe he has issues with his stamina.

Ahead of his highly anticipated UFC return, McGregor has been the subject of most debates among MMA experts and fans. One of the topics being talked about recently is McGregor’s cardio issues. Despite being able to destroy his opponents with his lethal left hand, experts claimed that McGregor’s stamina has been his biggest problem.

Tristar Gym head coach Firas Zahabi is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt most known for training accomplished MMA students such as George St-Pierre. According to him, McGregor didn’t become a champion because of his trainers. Instead, Zahabi explained that “Mystic Mac” is genetically powerful just like the legendary Tyson, MMA India reported.

“It think it’s partly genetic,” Zahabi said about McGregor’s power on the "JRE MMA Show."

“He’s got that left hand, it’s the touch of death. That touch of death comes at a cost. Where does power come from? Number one on the list, is where your muscle is attached to the bone. It’s genetic. So, Mike Tyson, he has a powerful left hook not because his coach taught him how to hit a left hook. He could have hit a left hook like that if he had a mediocre trainer,” Zahabi continued.

Zahabi also pointed out that McGregor has a “fast-twitch” left hand that is capable of knocking out opponents. However, when the fight is prolonged, the UFC star starts to have troubles. Apparently, Zahabi thinks that this was exactly what happened to McGregor when he lost to Floyd Mayweather.

“It has to do with the leverage of his bones. McGregor, look at his stats. It’s all round one knockout, round two knockout (using) his fast-twitch, high-leverage left hand. If you take him into deep waters, his fast-twitch muscle fibers cannot metabolize with Mayweather (fight),” Zahabi pointed out.

Jafari Vanier, head coach of McGregor’s upcoming opponent Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, also thinks that the only thing to worry about “The Notorious” is his left hand. According to Vanier, once the fight gets past the first round and a half, McGregor will start to gas out.

“We’ve got multiple submission victories, head-kick knockout victories, we’ve got decisions. He just has a left hand,” Vanier said.

“We just have to worry about a left hand in that first round. You’ve never really seen ‘Cowboy’ ever gas. After the first round and a half for Conor fades,” Vanier added.