Conor McGregor 's recent training video has been praised by MMA analyst Chael Sonnen despite fans criticising his boxing technique in the clip.
McGregor recently posted an Instagram video of himself hitting pads as he gears up for his UFC return later this year. His technique was slammed by fans and fellow fighters, with the likes of Henry Cejudo and Jake Paul critiquing the clip.
"Your hands are down and your distance is off. Stay away from them yes men. Just a tip from the [goat]," Cejudo wrote about McGregor's technique, only for the Irishman to fire back by labelling him a "fat midget novice".
Sonnen doesn't agree with the criticism of McGregor's recent training video given the UFC star is still recovering from an surgery to repair his broken tibia. The former UFC middleweight also praised McGregor for only training with his coach and not pushing himself too hard.
"I'm looking for what kind of stress and tension he can put onto that leg, I thought his knee looked good. That's an untrained, wouldn't pretend to be doctor just love to play one type of message, but he looks like he's solid. He looks like he's coming back," he said on 'The Chael Sonnen Show'.
"I also like that he was just with a coach, I don't need to see him sparring real hard right now. I don't need to see him going full speed in the practice room. I need to see him getting some of those motions, getting his conditioning back and weight off. I thought McGregor looked good."
Who should Conor McGregor fight in his UFC return? Let us know in the comments section below
McGregor has demanded a title shot upon his return despite being without a win at 155-pounds in over five years and currently being ranked at No.9 in the division. UFC boss Dana White thinks the Irishman will return in late fall, but McGregor wants to compete in the summer.
The former two-weight champion hasn't ruled out a return to 170-pounds having previously competed at the weight class in the UFC. Sonnen thinks after McGregor starts returning to full training, a fight at 155-pounds would suit him better.
"What weight class is Conor coming back at? He put out an Instagram piece, 194lbs is what he claimed to have weighed. He claims he's coming back for a championship at 155lbs, but we do know that he's stopped in at 170lbs a time or two," Sonnen continued.
"He's starting to call out some of those names, he's talking about the Jorge Masvidal's, Nate Diaz's and Dustin Poirier, who might be going to that weight class. So how big is he and how big is he going to end up once he gets back in shape burning those calories."
