All three of Conor McGregor’s professional MMA defeats have come by way of submission.
That, coupled with the fact that he only has one victory by submission, has led some critics to question his proficiency in the realm of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
McGregor, who holds a brown belt under John Kavanagh, lost via rear naked choke on Saturday as Nate Diaz drew the tap in the second round.
SBGs newest Brown Belt. Prize fighting is for the short term but the Martial Arts way is for … http://t.co/ZQCGMZkIVH pic.twitter.com/il2nsT2khv
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) September 28, 2014
That has resulted in significant levels of scrutiny over McGregor’s grappling skills but BJJ legend Eddie Bravo is in no doubt about McGregor’s talents on the mat.
“I thought it was over for Nate, I really did,” Bravo told fellow black belt Joe Rogan on Monday’s episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.
“And when he turned it around and the way it finished and when he put that fucking rear naked choke in, he put that motherfucker in like a super ninja.
“First of all, the way he mounted, if you don’t do Jiu-Jitsu there is no way you could know that the way he fucking mounted and his balance.
“You could see the balance, you could see the beauty in the mount and the way he was riding him like a champion rodeo rider. His balance was all beautiful.
“And then when he took his back, the way he put that fucking hook in – it was so efficient – there was no hiccup where he (moved his) jaw or had to set up.
“It was insanity. It was so perfect. That technique was about as flawless and beautiful as you can get.”
https://twitter.com/eddiebravo/status/620713010651201537
Bravo has seen McGregor roll in person and insists that the BJJ abilities of ‘The Notorious are legit.
“People are talking a lot of shit on Conor’s Jiu-Jitsu. I know Conor’s Jiu-Jitsu is good,” Bravo told Rogan.
“He’s come to my school. That guy is good. Just because he was mounted and choked out… He was already hurt!
“But even if he wasn’t hurt, I get mounted by my purple belts sometimes and get my back taken.
Walked into a random gym in L.A tonight and @eddiebravo was coaching!! A great experience with some solid guys!! pic.twitter.com/YJj35VTIwu
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 6, 2014
“There’s some shit going on and you add punches and all this hype, just because he got mounted and got his back taken, it does not mean that Conor’s Jiu-Jitsu sucks. Don’t get it twisted.
“He was a little hurt and Nate Diaz is really good. Nate Diaz could probably do that to me, it doesn’t mean I suck.”
