‘We’re being mocked, it’s making us stronger’ — Conor McGregor is relishing being the underdog to Floyd Mayweather

Conor McGregor.Jason Silva / Zuma Press / PA Images

UFC champion Conor McGregor is at his best when “everybody is mocking him,” according to the fighter’s head coach John Kavanagh.

McGregor may be one of the top athletes in mixed martial arts but he is the bookmakers’ underdog in his August 26 clash with Floyd Mayweather.

Coach Kavanagh, though, said McGregor thrives on pressure and is used to proving people wrong.

“We’ve always done our best when everybody is mocking the idea of an unknown Dublin guy saying he’s going to take on the whole UFC roster and win the belt,” Kavanagh told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour.

“Those challenges seem to bind us even closer than we already are. I’m really seeing that spirit lit up in the team. It’s always there, but for whatever reason, because we’re being laughed at, because we’re being mocked, it’s making us even stronger.”

Conor McGregor and John Kavanagh.Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Kavanagh is aware of Mayweather’s pedigree but is planning to exploit any weaknesses, no matter how slight, in the unbeaten American’s game.

“We’re talking about one of boxing’s all-time greats but there will be openings,” he said. “Nobody is perfect and everybody can get hit. We’re just looking to make those openings happen more often than they usually do.”

Kavanagh is expecting to see McGregor stun the combat sports world. “We’re ready to see a lot of jaws drop on the night.”