Surging UFC welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev has an offer for the game’s biggest star. As Khamzat told The MMA Hour, he wants to help McGregor fix the holes in his game that have led to the Irishman’s abysmal 1-3 record in his past four fights, and help him prepare for a run at the title.
“Just come and train with us. We’ll help him. I don’t care. People can talk sh*t if we help the guys and he beats Usman, I’ll be happy. Then if he wants to fight with me after that, come fight, we’re ready for that as well.”
Khamzat Invites McGregor to Train With Him
Khamzat has recently been training with Darren Till, a partnership that has fast become one a fan favorite dubbed “The Smesh Brothers”. Darren Till, like Khamzat, has endured four losses in his last five fights, and went to train with the undefeated Chechen fighter – who has more fights in the UFC than strikes absorbed – to repair his flagging career.
Khamzat’s jiu-jitsu coach, Alan Nascimento, echoed the sentiment on the Trocação Franca podcast. Conor McGregor fought out of SBG Ireland, the Dublin-based MMA gym headed by John Kavanagh, for his entire career, but Nascimento is suggesting a change of pace for the Irish superstar.
“If Conor did that, that would be the best thing he can do for his life today. Till has done it, man. He was humble enough to understand that, ‘Man, I need to evolve.’ You can’t teach a striker like Darren Till to throw a jab, but it’s the overall evolution in an environment where many guys will be motivating and inspiring you, making you boost your dedication.
It’s like you’re starting from zero again, restarting. [Till] said, ‘I need this.’ That’s not him just wanting to evolve, that’s him being humble and recognizing that, in order to continue doing what he loves, it’s time to get some fresh air. So, if Conor has that humility and decides to come train with us, I believe he has a lot to add and also learn.”
Whether McGregor has the humility required to do so is another story entirely. Leaving the ego at the door isn’t easy for any professional fighter, least of all one who is, despite an abysmal fighting record of late, the biggest star on the planet.
No word yet from Conor McGregor about any plans to leave John Kavanagh and SBG Ireland behind. The chance to train with an undefeated up-and-coming fighter who thrives in the style – gruelling, high-pressure wrestling – that has historically given Conor trouble might be too good to pass up.
Will the Smesh Brothers welcome a third amigo? Let us know what you think in the comments.
