After Missing Meet With Royce Gracie a Few Days Ago, Georges St-Pierre & Gracie Family Congratulate Conor McGregor on BJJ Black-Belt Achievement

Conor McGregor is known for his exceptional striking. His keen understanding of range and volume-heavy fighting style is what has earned him the title in two weight classes in the UFC. His grappling skills, however, have been found lacking.

But, it seems ‘Notorious’ has made good use of his two-year absence from the ring and putting in work. He was awarded a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu yesterday by his BJJ coach John Kavanagh. And he took to Instagram to announce it, eliciting responses from combat sports royalty.

Combat sports world reacts to Conor McGregor earning a black belt in BJJ

Many fellow fighters took to Instagram and commended McGregor on his achievement. Renzo Gracie, of the famous Gracie family, pioneers of BJJ, congratulated ‘Notorious’. A few days ago, Royce Gracie had visited the Irishman’s Black Forge pub but missed meeting McGregor as he was busy training. “Congratulations champ!!!!! very well deserved,” Renzo wrote.

Renner Gracie applauded his efforts and congratulated him and his coach. “What an achievement! Only a select few will ever know the feeling. Congratulations to you and to @coach_kavanagh,” he said.

Former UFC middleweight champion and one of the greatest MMA fighters, Georges St-Pierre, too wished him, and simply wrote “Congrats!”.

While one of the BJJ GOATs, Gordon Ryan felt that McGregor’s ground game was very good, contrary to popular opinion. “Well deserved. Despite what people say, you’re pretty exceptional on the ground, especially with mma being your main focus,” Ryan commented.

Conor McGregor to return to the UFC against Michael Chandler

‘Notorious’ has been out of the ring for the past two years, healing from a broken leg he suffered in his loss against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. After going against each other at this year’s season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ as coaches, McGregor is slated to face Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout in December at UFC 296.

Read More: “That’s Absolute Class” – Conor McGregor Impresses Fans with His Gesture for Coach Kavanagh Despite Being on a Date With Fiancé Dee Devlin

However, McGregor’s comeback fight is unclear at the moment. Earlier this month, McGregor sent out a series of distressed Twitter voice notes, saying ‘they’ wouldn’t let him fight and he was stopped from earning a livelihood. Most took this to mean that he would not be coming back in December. A few days later, however, he took a U-turn and told fans that December was back on the table.

Whatever the exact date of his return may be, it is sure to sell a lot of pay-per-views. McGregor, despite, recent downturns, remains the most popular figure in the sport, with unmatched star power, and entertainment value. How much it will diminish if he takes a loss against Chandler, however, remains to be seen.

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