← All stories
Combat & UFC

John Kavanagh Admits Fault for Conor McGregor's Toe Injury That Cancelled Chandler Fight

The Ariel Helwani Show · Conor McGregor's Head Coach John Kavanagh on UFC Return, Sleeping in Gym, Staying Loyal During Lows · July 9, 2026
John Kavanagh Admits Fault for Conor McGregor's Toe Injury That Cancelled Chandler Fight
The Ariel Helwani Show
The Ariel Helwani Show
Conor McGregor's Head Coach John Kavanagh on UFC Return, Sleeping in Gym, Staying Loyal During Lows
"I should have had the protective gear on on both guys from the start. The beginning of it was a little bit rushed. It was different when you're sparring for sparring and sparring for whatever they were embedded or countdown and it was it was a bit sort of haphazard and what we doing. It was my fault. I'm not going to beat around the bush on it."
Coach John Kavanagh took full responsibility for the training accident that forced Conor McGregor to withdraw from his scheduled fight with Michael Chandler. Kavanagh admitted the sparring session was rushed and lacked proper protective equipment because it was being filmed for embedded content. McGregor broke his toe in the first round after catching training partner Cian Cowley's elbow, but insisted on completing all five rounds despite the injury.
From this episode
The Ariel Helwani Show
The Ariel Helwani Show

Conor McGregor's Head Coach John Kavanagh on UFC Return, Sleeping in Gym, Staying Loyal During Lows

August 3, 2026 · 47m · 4 Egleze moments
Read episode summary and key points →

More moments from this episode

Combat & UFCMcGregor Moved Into Gym Storage Room for Months Leading Up to Comeback FightCombat & UFCKavanagh Says Last Six Months Most Dedicated Training of McGregor's Entire CareerCombat & UFCKavanagh Credits Communication Breakthrough as Key Factor in McGregor Camp Success
More stories More from The Ariel Helwani Show