'The first time I've done it' - Conor McGregor reveals major change for UFC comeback as coach admits unusual training move

Conor McGregor has revealed the major, first-time change he has made to his preparation for his UFC return this weekend.

After a five-year absence, McGregor finally returns to the Octagon on Saturday night when he squares off against familiar foe Max Holloway in the UFC 329 main event.

McGregor has not fought since July 2021 when he suffered a horrific leg break in his loss to Dustin Poirier, with a scheduled bout with Michael Chandler in 2024 nixed at the last minute when he picked up a toe injury in training.

Despite claims from Jorge Masvidal, who believes a second consecutive pull-out could be on the cards, McGregor appears focused and spoke about the measures he has put in place to ensure he is on top form on fight night in Las Vegas.

In fact, speaking during the UFC 329 media day, McGregor revealed that the first time in his career, he has been abstaining from any form of physical contact with wife Dee Devlin.

Refraining from engaging in sexual intercourse before fights is something a lot of top athletes do regularly.

The former two-weight UFC champion described the period as "intense" but believes it could bring out a "fire" in him inside the Octagon.

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“The fire is in my belly roaring and it’s about to be released on Saturday night,” McGregor said.

“I have practiced abstaining also in this camp. It’s the first time I’ve ever done it. From any type of physical touch, if you will. And that’s been intense. I’m excited to see what it brings on Saturday night.”

Conor McGregor's coach reveals unusual training decision he made before comeback

That is not the only new move McGregor has made for his upcoming welterweight bout. In a bid to ensure he is well-placed to score a second victory over Holloway 13 years on from their first encounter, McGregor has been living out of the Straight Blast Gym his long-time coach John Kavanagh owns in Dublin.

With a bed put in, McGregor stayed a couple of nights a week and would get straight up for sparring.

The 37-year-old stunned former UFC fighter Dong Hyun Kim when he came down wearing a Gucci robe while the South Korean was at the gym for an early morning visit.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Kavanagh explained: “He literally moved in, I have a storage room and he asked me to put a bed in it and I was like, ‘Sure’.

Yeah, this was around Christmas. I’ll tell you a quick, funny story.

“We had ‘Stun Gun’ visit the gym from Korea, and it was early morning, like 10am and he’s downstairs at reception.

“I’m chatting to him and he’s talking about Conor, he was a big inspiration to him, and I said, ‘Do you wanna say hello to him?’

“I said, ‘He’s upstairs’ and they were all shocked. I go upstairs and knock on him and he comes down in his Gucci robe. It’s actually on Kim’s YouTube channel.

A couple of nights a week he would sleep there, especially on sparring days because for him it’s early at 11am. He can get up at 10.45am.

“There’s a certain mindset that comes with that. You’re in that environment. From 6am the gym is loud and busy.

“I thought it was a great idea. I got a free security guard!”

McGregor has two fights remaining on his UFC contract, including the second showdown with Holloway at the T-Mobile Arena.