McGregor's coach: '2018 will be another big year for us'
It's become quite clear Conor McGregor's brand transcends mixed martial arts, but if his longtime coach, John Kavanagh, has it his way, the fighter will be stepping back into the Octagon this year.
Kavanagh, who was in the Irishman's corner as he fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in August, believes the next 12 months will be a successful venture, regardless of what avenue his fighter decides to travel down.
"I think 2018 will be another big year for us," Kavanagh told BBC Northern Ireland on Sunday. "Exactly what that is, I don’t know yet. The plan is forming, but as they say, stay tuned. … My opinion, I’ll be pushing very hard for MMA. The boxing was a nice detour from what we’ve done, but mixed martial arts is my passion."
While McGregor is still deciding what his next move will be - whether it be in the Octagon, a boxing ring, or wherever else life takes him, Kavanagh says the fighter has gotten back to training regularly recently and reminded the rest of the UFC who still owns the lightweight division.
"Conor's still the champion. They can say what they want - I have his belt at home, actually," Kavanagh said. "He's still the champion.
"He's making the decision on what makes sense for the next move. It’s kind of early days yet. We’re just watching how that has developed while he’s been away - he’s had other things on. Let’s see what happens in 2018. I’m excited about it, anyway."
"If I have anything to do with it, he’ll be in the octagon this year."
- with h/t to MMA Junkie