CONOR MCGREGOR has revealed plans to address one of his shortcomings in the octagon ahead of his return.
The Notorious is on course to make his blockbuster UFC return next year after finally re-enrolling in the promotion’s drug testing pool.
GETTYConor McGregor is all set to make his UFC return next year after re-entering their drug testing pool[/caption]
The Notorious will be welcomed back to the octagon by Michael ChandlerTWITTER@THENOTORIOUSMMA
TWITTER@THENOTORIOUSMMAMcGregor plans to train at elevation for the fight[/caption]
McGregor, 35, got the ball rolling for his comeback clash with Michael Chandler last week by officially submitting the paperwork to re-enter the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s pool.
The Irishman is now seemingly focused on where he’ll base his training camp for the fight, revealing plans to fight at elevation in order to boost his cardiovascular endurance.
He tweeted: “I’m back in the pool. Will be doing my stint at high elevation before the bout.”
Training at elevation can increase an athlete’s aerobic capacity, oxygen flow and tolerance to lactic acid build-up.
That would be extremely beneficial for an explosive fighter like McGregor, who has struggled to manage his energy reserves in the past.
He noticeably gassed out in his first fight with Nate Diaz and did so again in his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr in August 2017.
His endurance was pushed to the limit in his grudge match with Khabib Nurmagomedov thanks to several gruelling grappling exchanges.
The Irishman showed improvements in managing his reserves, despite his lengthy lay-off, but his fatigue contributed to his succumbing to a fourth-round neck crank.
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McGregor’s clash with Chandler, his rival coach on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter, was expected to take place this year.
But was ultimately pushed back until 2024 due to his absence from the USADA pool, which fighters must be in for a minimum of six months before being eligible to compete.
Re-enrollment by the end of the week will put McGregor on course to return in April, the month UFC 300 is expected to take place in.
Having the promotion’s poster boy headline the historic card would make complete sense, although UFC president Dana White currently has no plans for the Dubliner other than Chandler being his opponent.
He said: “I literally have nothing planned for Conor McGregor right now.
“The paperwork is being submitted; we’ll play it by ear and see how things play out.
“There are still a lot of things that have to happen as far as fights go, and then we’ll decide where is going to land.”
Former two-division champion McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier nearly two-and-a-half years ago.
REUTERSConor McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the cage since breaking his leg two over two ago[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
