It would be no surprise if Conor McGregor sought to improve his wrestling technique ahead of UFC 196.
There have been strong reports that McGregor’s camp drafted in Olympic gold medallist wrestler Jordan Burroughs for training camps. The UFC came out, this morning, to deny that they had hired Burroughs for that purpose.
Nine of lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos’ 25 professional MMA wins have come via submission so McGregor will be well aware of the Brazilian’s wrestling threat.
No.1 featherweight contender Frankie Edgar told Elite Daily that McGregor is getting help from the man who won gold at London 2012. The Answer bemoaned the special treatment he feels the Dubliner is receiving from the UFC. Edgar said:
“I’m sure he’s working on it. He better be. The UFC hired Jordan Burroughs to be his wrestling coach. He knows that’s his weakness.
“It’s not something you learn overnight, especially wrestling. It’s a feel-type of sport, takes time.”
If this is true, it would be a smart move by McGregor and his coach, John Kavanagh. McGregor did struggle to defend Chad Mendes’ numerous takedown attempts at last July’s UFC 189.
Edgar’s claims, however, have been strenuously denied by UFC president Dana White.
Was able to reach @danawhite on claims @ufc hired @alliseeisgold to coach @TheNotoriousMMA. Brief reply: “That’s ridiculous."
— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) January 30, 2016
To add further weight to White’s words, Burrough’s wife has taken to Twitter to give her take.
Twice now today I have read or listened to completely false or inaccurate "news" reports regarding my husband's career.
— Lauren Burroughs (@LoloBurroughs) January 29, 2016
