Gas early? John Kavanagh predicts Conor McGregor shines in late rounds at UFC 246

Looking into his crystal ball, John Kavanagh thinks Conor McGregor could do something at UFC 246 he’s never done in his career.

In a recent interview with TheMacLife.com, the SBG Ireland head coach gave his prediction for the upcoming event headliner between McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) and Donald Cerrone (35-13 MMA, 22-10 UFC). Kavanagh has a hunch McGregor will pick up a “late” finish.

“I think it’s going to be late,” Kavanagh said. “I could see it in the championship rounds. That’s the mindset that I personally have – to be ready for that. Now, he could spark him in seconds. But I think there’s a little extra weight involved, so I think in the later rounds.”

If Kavanagh’s prediction plays out, it would be the first time McGregor has picked up a stoppage victory past the 10-minute mark of a fight. Although McGregor went the distance against Nate Diaz (five rounds), Max Holloway (three rounds), and Marcus Brimage (three rounds), the Irishman’s latest stoppage inside-the-distance came at the 4:57 mark of Round 2 against Chad Mendes at UFC 189 in June 2015.

In his pro MMA career, McGregor has been in 10 five-round fights. However, the former UFC dual-titleholder has only seen the championship rounds twice. One of those outings was his majority decision win in his rematch with Diaz at UFC 202 in August 2016. The other was his most recent bout at UFC 229 in October 2018, when he was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov at the 3:03 mark of Round 4.

UFC 246 takes place Jan. 18 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.