This Conor Would Have Mauled Khabib… Old Training Clip Sparks Wild UFC Debate Online
A resurfaced training video of Conor McGregor has fans in a frenzy again not because of a new fight announcement, but because of a TikTok repost of the Irishman training like an absolute savage, back when he was on his rise to superstardom.
The clip — showing McGregor working explosive wall drills shirtless with dynamic speed and precision — was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the account @msioszn with the bold caption:
“This Conor would have mauled Khabib.”
And just like that, the old debate was back on the table.
The video dates back to the Diaz rematch era — when McGregor was most disciplined
The training footage appears to be from the buildup to McGregor’s rematch against Nate Diaz at UFC 202, a time when the Irishman famously revamped his cardio, brought in movement coaches, and refused to be outworked again after his UFC 196 loss.
This was McGregor at his most calculated and focused the version of him that avenged a loss, went on to win the lightweight title, and became the biggest name in MMA history.
“This guy was different,” one fan wrote. “Fast, lean, dangerous… and fully committed.”
Fans clash over whether this version could beat Khabib
But not everyone is convinced.
Some agreed with the tweet, arguing that peak McGregor’s speed and takedown defense would have given Khabib Nurmagomedov far more trouble than the 2018 version did at UFC 229.
Others, however, clapped back:
“This Conor got rocked by Diaz. Khabib would still ragdoll him.”
“That version was great — but Khabib’s grappling is a nightmare for anyone.”
Still, the post racked up thousands of views in hours, highlighting how strong the Khabib-McGregor rivalry still burns — even with both fighters retired (for now).
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No UFC this weekend and fans are entertaining themselves
The timing of this viral McGregor clip couldn’t be better for fans. With the UFC taking a rare break this weekend, the community has turned to nostalgia, fantasy matchups, and online debates to fill the void.
“No UFC this week so we’re re-fighting Khabib vs Conor in the comments,” one fan joked.
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McGregor’s comeback still uncertain — but the myth remains strong
Conor McGregor hasn’t fought since 2021, and his long-teased comeback against Michael Chandler remains up in the air. But clips like this keep his name red-hot, even in absence.
“Even retired, Conor dominates fight week conversation,” another user posted. “The guy’s presence is unmatched.”
Whether or not he ever returns, this video reignites an old truth in MMA: there’s never been a fighter quite like Conor McGregor and debates around his legacy will never go away.
