John Kavanagh

At a glance

• First Irish black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
• Coach of Conor McGregor, Gunnar Nelson, and Makwan Amirkhani
• Author of Win or Learn: MMA, Conor McGregor and Me (2016)

Overview

John Kavanagh was born on January 18, 1978, in Churchtown, Dublin. He was the first Irishman to earn a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is now a fourth-degree black belt under Matt Thornton, founder of the Straight Blast Gym network. In 2001 Thornton brought him into the network, and he founded Straight Blast Gym Ireland in Inchicore, Dublin.

He is head coach of the gym, known as SBG Ireland, where he has trained Conor McGregor, Gunnar Nelson, and Makwan Amirkhani. He was named Coach of the Year at the 2017 World MMA Awards. His gym also trains fighters from abroad: Gunnar Nelson is Icelandic and Makwan Amirkhani represents Finland, and both fought in the UFC with Kavanagh in their corner.

What you'll find

On X, Kavanagh shares his takes on MMA news and a look at life inside SBG Ireland. He also gives regular interviews, especially around his fighters' bouts.

In 2016, Penguin Random House UK published his memoir, Win or Learn: MMA, Conor McGregor and Me: A Trainer's Journey. In it he tells the story of his coaching career and his years with Conor McGregor. He also serves as president of the Irish Amateur MMA Organisation and has promoted Euro Fight Night events since 2019.

Why follow

Kavanagh founded his gym in 2001 and guided Conor McGregor all the way to UFC titles. He was also the first Irishman to reach black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a rank he now holds at the fourth degree. When he talks about how a fighter develops, he draws on more than twenty years of experience.

His angle is teaching. The title of his book sums up his approach: you either win or you learn, and every loss becomes part of the work. As head of Ireland's amateur MMA body and promoter of Euro Fight Night, he also shapes how fighters are developed before they turn pro.

MMA Official's take

John Kavanagh is a fit for Conor McGregor fans and followers of Irish MMA, and for athletes or coaches interested in how a fighter is developed.

Start with his book Win or Learn, which tells the story of SBG Ireland and Conor McGregor's early years from the coach's side. Then follow his X account for his reactions to the news and updates from the gym. If you are curious about amateur MMA, also check out a Euro Fight Night card, the events he promotes to give up-and-coming fighters on the Irish scene a place to compete.