Win or Learn: MMA, Conor McGregor and Me: A Trainer's Journey

John Kavanagh

Jun 2016 · Penguin UK

About this ebook

Conor McGregor's trainer tells the amazing story of his long road to success in the world's fastest-growing sport

Growing up in Dublin, John Kavanagh was a skinny lad who was frequently bullied. As a young man, after suffering a bad beating when he intervened to help a woman who was being attacked, he decided he had to learn to defend himself. Before long, he was training fighters in a tiny shed, and promoting the earliest mixed-martial arts events in Ireland. And then, a cocky kid called Conor McGregor walked into his gym ...

In Win or Learn, John Kavanagh tells his own remarkable life story - which is at the heart of the story of the extraordinary explosion of MMA in Ireland and globally. Employing the motto 'win or learn', Kavanagh has become a guru to young men and women seeking to master the arts of combat. And as the trainer of the world's most charismatic champion, his gym has become a magnet for talented fighters from all over the globe. Kavanagh's portrait of Conor McGregor - who he has seen in his lowest moments, as well as in his greatest triumphs - is a revelation.

What emerges from Win or Learn is a remarkable portrait of ambition, discipline, and persistence in the face of years and years of disappointment. It is a must read for every MMA fan - but also for anyone who wants to understand how to follow a dream and realize a vision.

'For anyone interested in following their dream to the end of the line' Tony Parsons

'It kept me up well past my bedtime' Sean O'Rourke, RTE Radio One

'Remarkable' Irish Times

'Kavanagh is open and honest about his upbringing ... The journey hasn't been easy, but Kavanagh's inbuilt determination has carried him all the way' Irish Examiner

Ratings and reviews

Can't really fault this. Started reading the free preview but it was good enough to warrant paying for the full thing. The rest of the book didn't make me regret my purchase. It's a good insight into the start of Irish MMA as well as well as telling John's story. It covers the rise of Conor McGregor but includes much more than that.

Brilliant read John Kavanagh. Great insight into the MMA world from someone who wouldn't have any knowledge of the sport. Some great life lessons to be learned from this book. It's kept my travelling through airports and and nights away from home busy with a great read. Best of luck for 2018 and to all at SBG.

Win or learn. Perfect to get back up when everything seem dark with no place to go..learn from mistakes dont make same mistake twice

About the author

John Kavanagh, who runs Straight Blast Gym Ireland, is one of the world's leading mixed martial arts coaches. His stable of fighters includes the UFC featherweight champion, Conor McGregor.