John Kavanagh reveals the one condition he had on being Conor McGregor's business partner… 'No favors for old coach'

12/09/2024 18:54

John Kavanagh has given an insight into what being in a business relationship with Conor McGregor is truly like.

The legendary UFC coach has revealed how the pair manage their entrepreneurial endeavors while maintaining their bond as student and coach.

John Kavanagh reveals what it’s like to be in business with Conor McGregor

In his esteemed career, Conor McGregor has utilized not just his gift of the gab but also his phenomenal left hand and remarkable striking IQ to become one of the biggest stars in the UFC.

However, he might not have scaled the mountain had John Kavanagh not been by his side, formulating intelligent game plans to beat some of the best fighters in the sport.

However, the pair have now ventured into the next stage of their relationship by going into business with one another.

The duo have joined forces, with McGregor investing in Alta Global Group, the parent company of Train Alta, which Kavanagh has spearheaded.

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The online platform goes the extra mile to offer both in-gym and online training to mixed martial artists around the world.

Kavanagh has now revealed how his bond with McGregor has evolved and how important it was that his protégé invested because he saw the vision, not just because he respects him as his coach.

In an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow via LuckyBlock, the MMA aficionado explained: “The timing of our interview couldn’t have been better; it was just today (Monday) that the big announcement was made [that McGregor has increased his investment in Alta].

“This was something I was very slow to do. You can imagine for somebody like Conor, everybody in his group has some great idea that they want him to hear, they want him to invest in, and they want him to get involved in.

“I’ve been with Alta almost eight years now and I never wanted to go to him about anything because I’m very guarded about our relationship. It’s very pure. We’re almost 20 years working together as coach and athlete and it was very important for me that that was kept – don’t muddy the waters between that.

“What I did was, because of my contact with Conor, I was able to set up a meeting with our team and his team – but I did say to his team, listen, give us the same scrutiny, we’ll go through the same due diligence of any company that Conor’s shown an interest in, and only go with it if it makes complete business sense, no favors for old coach here.

“If you fast forward a year, two or five years and something goes wrong, I don’t want to be the guy that was pushing you to do something because of some emotional reason. Only go for it if it makes complete sense and that’s made it all the sweeter, to be honest.

“Today’s announcement, his big Instagram post, was almost a year in the making, and our company had to jump through a lot of hoops with his companies, and it was only accepted on their end when everything made complete sense.”

Kavanagh continued: “I was glad to be able to squeeze the door open a little bit on the intro, but then I stood back from it. Conor and I never really spoke about it.

“We only ever really speak about training, which is important to me that we keep that relationship pure, but in the background. His team put our team through a pretty rigorous due diligence over a couple of months, and he went for it because it made sense.

“So, from that point of view, I am very, very proud of it. It’s obviously a massive moment for our little company. We’ve been listed on the stock exchange for a couple of months, but this is by far and away the biggest news, the biggest breakthrough we’ve had, and I’m excited to see what we can do together.

“You can imagine with his profile over the years, how many companies are approaching him. There’s only been a handful that have gotten through that process, and they are all doing pretty damn well, so he has that kind of golden touch.

“He’s very perceptive of the market and what’s needed out there, and we had a product that he’s seen the value in, and his team have seen the value in, and we're expecting big things to come from this now.”

John Kavanagh reveals what it’s like balancing coaching Conor McGregor and being a dad

Earlier this year, Kavanagh joyfully welcomed his second baby boy into the world. And while he’s admittedly not sleeping as much as he used to, the Irishman is loving every second of the journey and believes it’s actually enhanced his motivation for being the best trainer he can possibly be.

The 36-year-old beamed: “He’s [baby boy] doing okay. I’m dying of a lack of sleep, but no story that any parent doesn’t understand. He’s boy number two, he just turned six months, and thankfully, he’s smiling and happy.

“It’s definitely changed things. Back in the day, it could be at a moment’s notice or at the drop of a hat, we could be getting flown anywhere in the world and spending six weeks, eight weeks, sometimes ten weeks somewhere remote.

“Things now require a bit more planning. Conor has a load of kids. I’ve got a few kids. Ultimately, I think it’s made everything better.

“It gives you even more reason for what you’re doing. With any situation in life, it’s rarely the situation that is the problem, it’s how you perceive it, how you look at it and I only see the positives of it, so a little bit more planning is required, but nothing’s really changed.”

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