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'Conor is the number one mixed martial artist on the planet'

We caught up with John Kavanagh in Las Vegas ahead of UFC 189.

– Paul Dollery reports from Las Vegas

IT’S THE BIGGEST week in the history of Irish mixed martial arts, and not just because Conor McGregor could get his hands on a UFC belt by the end of it.

McGregor takes on Chad Mendes at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, with the interim UFC featherweight title up for grabs.

McGregor’s SBG team-mates Cathal Pendred and Gunnar Nelson are also in action, as is Team Ryano flyweight Neil Seery.

However, Irish involvement this week in Vegas began on Monday when James Gallagher picked up an impressive win in the first round of the IMMAF Amateur MMA World Championships.

Gallagher is hoping to be crowned world champion in Saturday’s finals, with his team-mates Sinead Kavanagh, Frans Mlambo and Kiefer Crosbie aiming to do likewise.

After Monday’s victory we caught up with coach John Kavanagh — who was calling the shots from Gallagher’s corner — to discuss the busy week ahead, which culminates with McGregor versus Mendes.

“I believe at the moment that Conor is the number one mixed martial artist on the planet, so the fact that someone has come in with a wrestling background, that shouldn’t make a difference and it won’t make a difference,” Kavanagh said.

The42 Video / YouTube

It’s been a long journey from a shed in Galway to the MGM Grand for Neil Seery

A letter from Las Vegas: McGregor isn’t the only show in town on International Fight Week

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