Body transformation photos spark concern over new-look Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor’s nemesis isn’t the only one with an unflattering opinion of him after recent photos revealed a huge change to his body.

Conor McGregor is looking bigger than ever. Photo: Getty Images/Instagram.

UFC star Dustin Poirier has labelled rival Conor McGregor “a bit puffy” after the Irishman revealed his extraordinary 15kg weight gain.

The Sun reports rarlier this month the former two-weight UFC world champion shared some pictures of his body transformation, which shocked fight fans.

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He captioned the snaps “190lbs (86kg) of pure granite” as he confirmed he was tipping the scales more than 15kg heavier than his last fight just five months ago.

Poirier beat McGregor at lightweight (70kg) back in July after the Irishman suffered a horror leg break at the end of the first round. It was Poirier’s second victory over McGregor in just six months following his stoppage win back in January.

The American has now earned himself a lightweight title shot as he prepares to face Charles Oliveira for the belt at UFC 269 in Las Vegas today.

But he still took the time out of his fight preparations to comment on McGregor’s bulkier physique.

As reported by Sportskeeda, he said: “I did see a picture. He does look a little puffy, man.

“He might want to slow down on the Black Forge, whatever he’s got going on.”

Before a feed at The Black Forge.
After a feed at The Black Forge.
Quality Irish produce. All across the board. Unmatched! @blackforgeinn 🖤 🍀 pic.twitter.com/09xBxLQedy

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 5, 2021

Ex-MMA star Chael Sonnen was concerned by McGregor’s new-look physique.

“That picture of him at 190 (pounds) ... he looked like he was extremely bloated,” Sonnen said on his podcast.

“And when somebody weighs 190 – that’s used to weighing 155, 175; what you have to wonder is how. How did you get this big? Why? The answer to me seems redundantly obvious.

“You’re not training. You cannot train the way you need to prepare in MMA, which we’re well aware. We are well aware that Conor is not. He’s got the hurt leg and he’s not doing what he is used to. He’s not jumping rope. He’s not running. He’s not pulling the sled. He’s not sparring. We get it. He’s having to do other exercises.

“If you’re not doing our sport, who gives a damn what you weigh? If your calorie deficit to intake got so far out of control, that you’re bigger than you’ve ever been, that’s not a good thing.”

McGregor was much slimmer in January. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

In July he weighed in 15kg lighter than he is now. Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFP

The trapezius muscle, the most overlooked muscle in all of fighting.
Sign up to @McGregorFast for my trap explosion program. pic.twitter.com/GgdcNOnnT3

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 4, 2021

McGregor has won just one UFC fight since becoming a two-weight world champion back in 2016. He has suffered two defeats to Poirier and was also beaten by Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018.

By contrast, Poirier has built up a significant amount of momentum since his own loss to Khabib in September 2019. After a unanimous decision win over Dan Hooker, he followed that up with two wins over McGregor to establish himself as one of the best lightweights in the world.

But he now aims to defeat Oliveira and finally clinch his first world title at the age of 32.

Speaking to commentator Joe Rogan following a tense final staredown to promote UFC 269, Poirier admitted: “Man, this is the big one.

“I’ve paid my dues. One more mountain to claim for the ultimate view.

“Baby, destiny doesn’t make mistakes. Let’s go!”

This article first appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission