Conor Wallace clearly made an impact when he sparred ‘The Notorious’ a fortnight ago.
Reigning UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor drafted in the rangy southpaw to replicate upcoming opponent Nate Diaz.
Great sparring today with @TheNotoriousMMA privileged to be given the opportunity. @mickconlan11 @paddyb_ireland pic.twitter.com/ZNIOhULKgn
— Conor Wallace (@wallaceboxing1) June 15, 2016
Wallace, a 20-year-old middleweight from Newry, has similar qualities to Diaz in terms of his height and reach advantage over McGregor and the sparring session in SBG was such a success that he’s been invited to Las Vegas to join the whole McGregor team for the seven-week training camp leading up to UFC 202.
Also along for the ride with the six-time All-Ireland champion is Wallace’s coach from St. Monica’s Boxing Club, Owen Murphy, and the pair jet out for Las Vegas on Tuesday.
McGregor is scheduled to face Diaz again in the main event of UFC 202, on August 20th, and he’s made no secret of the fact that he’s taking the rematch much more seriously.
“I am facing a taller, longer and heavier man,” McGregor wrote in a lengthy statement in April, explaining his refusal to fulfil certain media obligations.
“I need to prepare correctly this time.”
It certainly sounds like that’s just what McGregor is doing with his commitment to recreating Diaz’s style in the coming weeks’ sparring sessions.
