LAST WEEK IT was ‘The Mountain’ from Game of Thrones who was training with Conor McGregor at Straight Blast Gym in Dublin.
This week it’s Ido Portal — the renowned movement expert who many believe to have been a major influence on the UFC interim featherweight champion.
In a recent interview with London Real, Portal spoke of his admiration for McGregor and expressed his desire to ‘do some work’ with the 27-year-old MMA star.
Portal got that opportunity yesterday when he was in Dublin, spending some time with McGregor and fellow UFC star Gunnar Nelson as they prepare for their respective bouts against Jose Aldo and Demian Maia in Las Vegas on 12 December.
Nelson posted on Instagram: “Enjoyed training with and learning from Ido Portal a true master of movement!”
If you’re unfamiliar with Ido Portal, a quick glance at his YouTube channel and website will reveal the influence that his ‘method’ has had on McGregor’s impressive athleticism and manner of movement.
“Teaching this new generation of fighters and equipping them with a paradigm shift — new hybrid tools, unseen before, new philosophy about their practice, new skill set and abilities,” said Portal on Facebook.
“There is a new breed of fighters coming up and with them — a revolution in the way the world views movement.”
Portal, who has an extensive background in the Brazilian martial art of capoeira, is becoming very popular with athletes across a wide variety of sports — MMA in particular.
Former Cork hurler Paul Tierney — who’s now a successful ultra-runner — told The42 recently that he has also learned from Portal, who imparts his method at regular seminars around the globe.