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Why Conor McGregor Gas Out? Legendary MMA Coach Firas Zahabi Explains on Joe Rogan’s Show

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Why Conor McGregor Gas Out? Legendary MMA Coach Firas Zahabi Explains on Joe Rogan’s Show

The Notorious Conor McGregor is easily one of mixed martial arts’ greatest figures. The Irishman’s devastating left hand, along with his larger-than-life personality, has catapulted him to global stardom. But there is one trend that is developing in relation to McGregor’s contests: if he cannot finish his opponents early, his performance in fight tends to drop precipitously in the latter stages. The legendary MMA coach Firas Zahabi recently sounded off on what happens when McGregor gas out at critical times.

Power vs. Endurance for McGregor
At his best, he was feared for the knockout power in his left hand, often referred to as his “touch of death.” This is clearly illustrated when he handed José Aldo and Eddie Alvarez some of their first knockout defeats in early rounds. Yet fights that extend beyond a few rounds expose the brilliance of McGregor. We can see this with his battles against Nate Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Firas Zahabi, a coach for UFC legend Georges St-Pierre, during an episode of the JRE MMA Show with Joe Rogan, spoke on McGregor’s stamina issues. He believes that what McGregor is experiencing in later rounds might simply be due to genetics and have nothing to do with poor conditioning or lack of experience.

Why Conor McGregor Gas Out Legendary MMA Coach Firas Zahabi Explains on Joe Rogan's Show

Role of Genetics and Muscle Composition
As Zahabi points out, the force of McGregor’s punches was both a blessing and a curse. And that has to do with the fast-twitch muscle fibers, which produce explosive movements. However, these have a downside: they are holding less oxygen, thereby resulting in quicker fatigue. As told by Zahabi to Rogan,

I think it’s partly genetic. I call it the touch of death; he’s got that left hand. That touch of death comes at a cost. Where does power come from? It comes from fast-twitch muscle fibers.

These fast-twitch fibers are what fuel fighters like McGregor with quick, powerful bursts of energy. Athletes who contain more slow-twitch fibers are more suited to endurance. Slow-twitch fibers metabolize oxygen much more efficiently, letting the athlete stay active for a more extended period of time, but they certainly do not possess the explosive power that defines McGregor’s fighting style. Zahabi elaborated further:

“Fast-twitch fibers fatigue faster, but they give you more power. Slow-twitch fibers are meant for endurance, but they don’t twitch as fast.”

In short, it is that dependence on the fast-twitch muscle fibers of McGregor that makes him produce those devastating knocks downs but puts him out faster with time.

Effect of this in McGregor’s Fight
Perhaps the most glaring zone where McGregor has flunked is in the stamina department, especially in his defeat cases. During the first round of his bout against Nate Diaz in UFC 196, McGregor was in control and received a heavy punch that made the fight. However, it was when the fight progressed to the second round that Diaz’s resilience and strategy drained him out. Tired and unable to uphold his onslaught in the first round, McGregor was forced to tap out by a rear-naked choke in the second round.

A comparable situation unfolded when McGregor battled Khabib Nurmagomedov in UFC 229. McGregor had a fantastic start for the first few minutes, but as Khabib kept up his draining wrestling approach, McGregor’s endurance started to drain, and by the fourth round, he ended up submitting.

These examples highlight the tension between power and endurance in MMA. Given that McGregor has fast-twitch muscle fibers, which makes him a potent threat early into the fight, it actually limits how far he can take it when matched up against durable opponents who can take his pace.

Can McGregor Improve His Endurance?
Since Zahabi actually goes on to explain McGregor’s aerobic problem as being in-born, genetic, one therefore has reason to think: does the Irishman have a choice in filling up his gas tank? Although genetics determine what muscle type someone has through their genetic makeup, workarounds are still possible. For instance, the pound can make different changes to his regime, such that it is not so cardio-intensive, or he can just pace himself differently. This would mean he could save some energy and reduce his dependence on explosive movements, which would stretch his stamina in subsequent fights.

But achieving this would cost him his signature knockout power, which had so far been the bedrock of his success. It’s a tightrope balance that McGregor would have to walk if he hopes to regain his erstwhile dominance in the UFC.

McGregor’s Future in the UFC
McGregor is still very much the talk in the MMA circles notwithstanding his recent injury, having kept him sidelined for what seems like an age since breaking his little toe. His fight with Michael Chandler has been postponed and he isn’t yet known when he may return to the Octagon. But McGregor is still very much active on social media, continuing to taunt potential opponents and maintain his presence in the sport.

Although McGregor has not been in the ring for what feels like centuries, his name is still a hot topic and many people just can’t wait to see how he goes on his next appearance in the octagon. Can McGregor overcome his endurance problems and find himself as a well-rounded fighter? That remains to be seen, but no question exists today that he will be one of the sport’s most remembered figures.

Conclusion: Power Comes at a Price
Conor McGregor’s knockout left hand made him one of the most feared fighters in UFC history, but it also teaches him important lessons about limitations. His reliance on his fast-twitch muscle fibers-which yield his explosive power-doesn’t help him with longer fights either. On Joe Rogan’s show, the amount of understanding Firas Zahabi gave really went into determining the genetic causes for why McGregor tends to fade in the later rounds.

As McGregor’s future in MMA is currently on shaky ground, fans and analysts alike are looking at how “The Notorious” will adjust for his next appearance in terms of power and endurance.

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