In a shocking revelation, former training partner Artem Lobov has disclosed that Conor McGregor barely prepared for his highly anticipated UFC 229 bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov. This fight, which took place in October 2018, became the highest-selling pay-per-view event in UFC history despite McGregor’s apparent lack of dedication to training.
The startling training revelation about McGregor’s preparation
According to Lobov, who once served as McGregor’s main training partner and close friend, the Irish fighter approached the Nurmagomedov matchup with a surprisingly casual attitude. “He didn’t train at all for that fight,” Lobov stated during an appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” This claim offers new insight into what many consider one of the most significant defeats of McGregor’s career.
Lobov elaborated that McGregor was training merely twice weekly before facing the undefeated Russian champion. This minimal preparation stands in stark contrast to the intensive training camps typically associated with championship-level UFC fights. “He was in the wrong mindset. He was in the party mindset,” Lobov explained, suggesting that McGregor’s focus had shifted dramatically following his lucrative boxing match against Floyd Mayweather.
When Lobov attempted to encourage McGregor to travel to Las Vegas for proper training, he reportedly received a blunt rejection. This apparent lack of dedication raises questions about McGregor’s priorities during this critical period of his fighting career. The timing is particularly noteworthy as it followed McGregor’s most financially rewarding professional endeavor in the boxing ring.
| Fighter | Record at time of fight | Training approach |
|---|---|---|
| Conor McGregor | 21-3 | Twice weekly sessions |
| Khabib Nurmagomedov | 26-0 | Full professional camp |
What could have been: comparing McGregor’s performances
The stark contrast between McGregor’s preparation for the Nurmagomedov fight and his approach to previous bouts is particularly telling. Prior to facing Khabib, McGregor had delivered what many consider the defining performance of his career against Eddie Alvarez, becoming the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion.
Lobov believes that a fully prepared McGregor could have changed the outcome against Nurmagomedov. “When I saw the fight, I was like, ‘Oh my God, if only you trained four times a week, you probably would’ve beaten him,'” Lobov remarked. This sentiment suggests that even minimal additional preparation might have significantly altered the fight’s trajectory.
The comparison between McGregor’s performance against Alvarez and his showing against Nurmagomedov highlights a dramatic shift in focus and dedication. While the Alvarez fight showcased McGregor’s precision striking and tactical brilliance, the Nurmagomedov bout revealed vulnerabilities that many attribute to insufficient preparation.
Factors that contributed to McGregor’s performance decline include:
- Limited training frequency (only twice weekly)
- Reported party lifestyle following the Mayweather payday
- Resistance to coaching advice and training location suggestions
- Extended absence from MMA competition
- Possible overconfidence following financial success
The potential for a rematch and current relationship dynamics
Despite the definitive nature of Nurmagomedov’s fourth-round submission victory, Lobov maintains that a properly prepared McGregor could not only perform better but potentially lure the now-retired Khabib back to the octagon. “I would love to see him come back, because I feel that if he was at 100 percent, we would be able to bring Khabib back, as well,” Lobov stated.
The dynamic between McGregor and Lobov has shifted dramatically since their training partnership. What was once a close friendship has evolved into a legal dispute over McGregor’s Proper Twelve whiskey brand. This deterioration in their relationship adds another layer of complexity to Lobov’s revelations about McGregor’s preparation.
Interestingly, Lobov announced his own upcoming fight against Zubaira Tukhugov, a training partner of Nurmagomedov, scheduled for October 3, 2025, at a PFL event in Dubai. This connection maintains the intertwined narrative between the camps of both McGregor and Nurmagomedov, even years after their infamous encounter.
The potential pathway for a rematch, according to Lobov, would require:
- McGregor returning to peak physical condition
- Winning an impressive comeback fight with a knockout
- Generating sufficient public interest to entice Nurmagomedov
- Demonstrating a renewed commitment to professional preparation
Legacy implications of the training controversy
This revelation about McGregor’s minimal preparation raises significant questions about what might have been if the Irish superstar had approached the Nurmagomedov fight with the same dedication that characterized his earlier career. The outcome of UFC 229 not only cemented Nurmagomedov’s legacy but also marked a turning point in McGregor’s career trajectory.
For fans and analysts alike, the knowledge that McGregor wasn’t fully prepared adds a layer of speculation to one of UFC’s most memorable rivalries. “I know that fight bothers Conor” Lobov noted, suggesting that McGregor himself recognizes the opportunity missed due to inadequate training.
The matchup between these two fighters transcended sport, involving personal animosity, cultural differences, and contrasting approaches to the fighting lifestyle. That McGregor would approach such a significant bout with minimal preparation remains one of the more surprising revelations in recent UFC history.
Whether McGregor can recapture his former glory remains uncertain, but these insights from Lobov provide valuable context for understanding one of the most anticipated and discussed fights in mixed martial arts history. The question of what a fully prepared McGregor might have accomplished against the undefeated Nurmagomedov will likely remain one of the great “what ifs” in UFC lore.
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