Conor McGregor cannot forget the submission loss he suffered to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. So much so, that when he was conducting a Q&A session with fans on his social media, a sincere McGregor revealed that, if he could fight for a rematch, the Russian would be the opponent he would like to face again. “Khabib. He is fighting’s biggest chicken,” wrote the former UFC champion in a post now deleted from his official X account.

Since Khabib Nurmagomedov retired in 2021, it seems less likely that the rematch will ever take place. But can we say that the fight they had in the first place was a completely fair one? After all, when ‘The Eagle’ fought McGregor, the Irishman was already out of his prime years. So, what would happen if the two had clashed somewhere between 2013 and 2016? Well, the answer to this question has been provided to us through the help of AI as we guess what the UFC fight would’ve looked like if ‘The Notorious’ was in his prime.

What if the prime version of Conor McGregor fought Khabib Nurmagomedov? AI prediction

First Two Rounds

Conor’s Best Chance:

In the early stages of the much-anticipated fight, prime Conor McGregor, known for being one of the most dynamic strikers in the UFC, would definitely bring his explosive speed, razor-sharp timing, and unparalleled striking precision to the Octagon. The opening rounds would be his best chance to deliver a decisive knockout of ‘The Eagle’. Unless Nurmagomedov secures an early takedown, the Irishman’s deadly left hand could be enough to send the undefeated fighter to the ground.

However, as per AI, the possibility of this situation occurring is medium. While Conor McGregor’s striking is among the best fans have ever seen, Nurmagomedov has repeatedly demonstrated that he is built like a tank. His chin is one of the toughest to crack, with even fighters with power like Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier failing to knock him out.

Khabib’s Strategy:

Khabib’s strategy in the opening two rounds would be to absorb the Irishman’s strikes while closing the distance. His ability to close the distance with his awkward footwork and ability to shoot from a vacuum would put Conor McGregor‘s takedown defense to the test. The former UFC double champion had good defensive grappling throughout his prime, but it was never enough to go toe-to-toe with elite wrestlers.

Beyond Round 2

If the fight went past the first two rounds, ‘The Eagle’ would have a considerable advantage. Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s persistent grappling pressure and incredible cardio, especially in his prime, would overpower the Irishman, whose stamina was never the best when he went against some of the best wrestling experts in the Dana White-led promotion.

According to AI, The Eagle’s dominant skills on the ground, paired with devastating ground-and-pound and submission threats, will definitely drain all of Conor McGregor’s energy and confidence. The Dagestani’s ability to smother opponents would render ‘The Notorious’ defenseless in subsequent rounds.

Definitive Prediction:

Winner: Khabib Nurmagomedov by submission (Round 3).

How the Fight Plays Out:

In the opening round, McGregor has moments of success, scoring crisp blows and resisting initial takedown attempts. However, as the fight proceeds, Nurmagomedov wears down Conor’s defenses, forcing him to have grappling exchanges. By Round 3, the chances of the Irishman winning look as meek as ever. ‘The Eagle’ established a dominant position and finishes with a rear-naked choke or arm-triangle submission, securing his victory.

What could McGregor have done to defeat Nurmagomedov: AI answers

While it seems like Khabib Nurmagomedov winning the fight is inevitable, AI did provide us with the answer as to what Conor McGregor could have done to increase the likelihood of him winning the fight.

Start Fast and Aggressive

Prime Conor’s best path to victory would be an explosive start. Using sharp combinations, precision punches, and disruptive feints, the Irishman’s main goal would be to unsettle the Dagestani legend early on in the fight. To stop the Dagestani from attempting a takedown and coming forward, McGregor would make sure to target Nurmagomedov’s chin with his signature straight left, coupled with body shots or leg kicks.

Master Defensive Grappling
Conor McGregor’s training session before the fight should focus on wrestling defense and quick scrambles to not fall victim to Nurmagomedov’s takedowns. Neutralizing the Dagestani’s insane wrestling skills is the key to winning the fight.

Maintain Distance with Striking and Footwork
Staying as far away from the Dagestani’s takedown is imperative. Using his kicks and jabs to keep Nurmagomedov outside his preferred range would allow Conor McGregor to secure a knockout. Lateral movement and circling away from the Russian fighter would also minimize the risk of being trapped against the cage.

Target Weaknesses
Conor McGregor has too many tricks up his sleeve when it comes to his striking abilities. His striking arsenal is full of variations. So, using body shots and unorthodox strikes, such as spinning kicks and uppercuts, the Irishman can capitalize on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s aggressive forward movement. These techniques might force ‘The Eagle’ to hesitate, disrupting his relentless pace.

Conserve Energy and Stay Disciplined
Maintaining stamina is essential for Conor McGregor to remain a threat in later rounds of the fight. As a result, he would have to avoid any unnecessary exertion and instead preserve all his energy to hit a brutal knockout against Nurmagomedov.

Mental Warfare
McGregor’s notorious psychological tactics might play a major role in making Nurmagomedov lose focus and get off his fight game, just like he did with Jose Aldo. Forcing mistakes through trash talk and mind games can open opportunities to capitalize on.

Only if Prime Conor McGregor followed the tips to the T, would he be able to grab a win against ‘The Eagle.’ Even with his insane talent, overcoming the Dagestani phenom’s grappling mastery and relentless pressure seems unlikely. AI suggests that while ‘The Notorious’ might have fleeting moments of brilliance, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s well-rounded skill set and stoic mindset would ultimately secure him the victory. But what do you think? Do you agree with AI? Let us know in the comments.