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Conor McGregor's Coach John Kavanagh Shares Email Showing UFC Rejected Chance To Sign Him In 2012

Conor McGregor's Coach John Kavanagh Shares Email Showing UFC Rejected Chance To Sign Him In 2012

Kavanagh got involved with the "how it started... how it's going" social media trend...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Conor McGregor's coach has shared an email showing how UFC initially rejected the Irish sensation back in 2012.

McGregor was making waves in Cage Warriors at the time but an email sent by UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby in December of that year suggests the promotion weren't all that keen on drafting in him at first.

Shelby replied to a previous message from Haraldur Nelson, founder of the Mjolnir MMA gym in Iceland, telling him that he was not looking to sign any featherweights at the time.

He did add that he hoped the situation would "clear up soon and guys like Conor can get an opportunity".

John Kavanagh, McGregor's long-time coach at SBG Ireland, shared the screenshot as part of the recent "how it started... how it's going" social media trend and the 32-year-old commented on the Instagram post.

McGregor would get his chance four months later, making his debut by beating Marcus Brimage in 67 seconds in Sweden.

The rest, as they say, is history. 'Notorious' met Dana White for the first time after the fight and he told him: "So, there's been a lot of hype. I guess the hype is real."

He's since gone on to become the first ever dual-champion in UFC history and one of the biggest names in combat sports, breaking box office records left, right and centre along with being involved in a whole host of memorable fights.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Recently McGregor angered White when he shared private messages detailing plans for him inside the Octagon but now looks set to square off in a rematch with former rival Dustin Poirier following a lengthy hiatus.

Having initially stated he would be taking on 'the Diamond' in a charity MMA sparring bout that had nothing to do with UFC, McGregor claims to have accepted their offer to fight him.

He pledged to donate $500,000 to Poirier's charity but is adamant the fight needs to happen this year.



McGregor has been inactive since his quick and explosive win over Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone in January, even announcing his "retirement" from the sport yet again.

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Topics: Conor Mcgregor, UFC News, MMA News, John Kavanagh, UFC, MMA