Conor McGregor’s first meeting with John Kavanagh perfectly embodies his rags to riches journey

Conor McGregor may be living the high life now but he has strained every sinew to get there.

So says McGregor's coach, John Kavanagh. The Straight Blast Gym trainer was on RTÉ Radio in Ireland to speak about McGregor's upcoming bout at UFC 196. Kavanagh has been working with The Notorious for the past 11 years and is delighted his charge is finally getting the recognition his hard work merits. Recounting the pair's first encounter, Kavanagh said:

"His first day was not a lot different to anybody else's. There was no clouds splitting or ray of sunshine hitting me. He just joined a gym. He was 16. "[His talent] was apparent. He came from Crumlin Boxing Club, which is a good boxing club and he was already good at boxing. "He was the same personality he is now. He's loud - people call it arrogant - he's confident, brash. He's funny; very witty. He is incredibly sharp-minded. "All those qualities were there when he was young. Any trainer when they see something like that, and he can also compete and fight very well, they think 'This guy can do something'."

But even though McGregor has risen to become one of the most recognisable fighters in the world, the struggle was real in the early years.

"We were scraping along. "Maybe he can be a little bit brash now about what he has but, I can tell you now, when we were pushing his girlfriend's car down the car park, trying to get it started on cold winter nights, after doing a third or fourth session that day, it was tough."

  Humble beginnings, glory days and a future untold. It has been some journey.