Conor McGregor’s comeback bout has been simulated on UFC 5, and the fight will be a classic if it’s anything like this.
The former dual-weight champion hasn’t fought since breaking his leg during a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.
McGregor has been impatiently waiting to fight Chandler for almost a yearCredit: @TheNotoriousMMA – Twitter
However, ‘Notorious’ has been fully fit for more than a year and is desperate to return to the Octagon after first agreeing to fight Michael Chandler in February 2023.
McGregor recently revealed he will face the lightweight contender on June 29, and made the shocking revelation that their clash will take place at middleweight.
UFC CEO Dana White hasn’t confirmed or denied his biggest star’s claim yet, but MMA fans are already getting excited about the Irishman ending his lengthy lay-off soon.
One YouTuber was so stirred about McGregor’s return that they simulated a fight between ‘Mystic Mac’ and Chandler on the latest instalment of EA Sports’ collaboration with the UFC.
The fight took place in the legendary AI setting and predicted a definitive ending.
Round one began with Chandler scoring a massive knockdown before securing top position and dominating the next few minutes with his elite-level wrestling.
An arm-triangle submission attempt came close but ultimately allowed McGregor to get back to his feet, though it wasn’t long before he was down again.
Chandler wobbled the Irishman once more to cap off a dominant round.
A fight simulation saw McGregor get dropped in the first minute of his comebackCredit: Mixed Fights – YouTube
A flying attack in round two turned the tide in his favourCredit: Mixed Fights – YouTube
The second frame of the simulated fight saw McGregor rally with a flying knee attack to daze his comeback opponent in the opening seconds.
McGregor landed several big shots to the body and head to hurt Chandler, he even opened up a cut, over the next five minutes but once again ended up on the floor after being dropped by a spinning backhand.
The 35-year-old hadn’t fully recovered before round three got underway as he was visibly rocked by the first two punches Chandler landed.
He opted to take the fight to the floor but was made to pay when McGregor got back to his feet and landed a straight punch to score his first knockdown of the bout.
They traded knockdowns moments later before Chandler took top position and busted McGregor open with ground punches until the horn sounded to end the round.
The championship rounds began with another knockdown for Chandler, who somehow found himself on the bottom being controlled by McGregor for the next two minutes.
Both fighters were covered in blood at the end of round threeCredit: Mixed Fights – YouTube
But only Chandler looked like winning and he soon found the KO shotCredit: Mixed Fights – YouTube
When the fight returned to the feet, Chandler dropped his opponent again before closing the show with a monstrous right hand when he got back up.
Referee Herb Dean stepped in as McGregor was out cold on the floor.
A similar result this summer could bring an end to McGregor’s illustrious career, and prove Chandler was right to sit out and wait for the biggest fight available.
Only time will tell how the eagerly anticipated UFC bout will actually play out.