Connor McGregor is the current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight (135Ibs-145Ibs) champion.
Back in March 5th 2016 McGregor made the audacious move to fight two weight categories above featherweight level. He fought Nate Diaz, at welterweight (155Ibs to 170Ibs), with a view that a true fighter does not mind the size of his opponent.
For those not acquainted with the UFC, mixed martial arts, or any form of fighting sport in general: fighting two weight classes above your standard, or ideal weight class, is considered as close to sporting suicide as it gets.
March 5th ended with McGregor being beaten in the second round after ‘tapping out’ (giving up) from the effects of being placed under a ‘rear-naked choke’ (not being able to breathe).
McGregor had taken a risk and he had lost.
However, he was adamant that he knew the mistakes he had made, and a rematch on the 20th August 2016 was set.
With only sixmonths between the original fight and the rematch, McGregor’s learning curb proved exceptional, producing a majority decision victory over Nate Diaz.
From such an emphatic and clear loss, a risk that went wrong, to then training, fighting and winning, McGregor has demonstrated an exceptional mindset.
In quotes, here are three things we can learn from Connor McGregor:
1.“You win or you learn”: McGregor’s initial response directly after losing his first fight against Diaz: a hard headed an ultimately positive attitude to what many considered to be not just a sporting loss, but also a personal failure. Whatever your profession when you feel like you have lost or failed, learning with a belief in future success is the best way to go.
2.“It brought out the best in me it forced me to look at myself truly”: this was McGregor’s comment on his initial defeat after his later victory. Taking time to consider and appraise ourselves in an honest fashion is how we can venture to make the most of our talents.
3.“Everyone wrote me off…Every single fighter doubted me: now doubt me” this provocative statement is indicative of an attitude towards criticism that uses it as a fuel to achieve, rather than letting it get in the way of a goal. In short, criticism or doubt from others should be used to further motivate one to achieve their aim, instead of it diminishing confidence or focus.