Conor McGregor dominates Dong Hyun Kim in latest comeback sparring footage

Conor McGregor looks to have gotten the higher of a spar with former UFC star Dong Hyun Kim, but that isn’t turning fans around.

Legendary two-weight world champion McGregor hasn’t competed since 2021, when he suffered a horrific broken leg in his trilogy with Dustin Poirier. He is predicted to finally return this summer against Max Holloway at UFC 329, and has been in camp just about all 12 months.

CHANGE MY MIND: Conor McGregor is the UFC’s biggest legend

‘Notorious’ took MMA to the subsequent level at the peak of his legendary profession.

Last month, he welcomed ‘Stun Gun’ Kim into SBG Ireland HQ in Dublin and took part in some sparring sessions with the ex-welterweight contender. In latest footage released by the previous fighter, it appeared that the Irishman is pulling no punches even in additional light sessions.

Fans react as Conor McGregor beats up Dong Hyun Kim in sparring

It’s pretty clear that Conor McGregor was ‘winning’ the sparring with Dong Hyun Kim, who seemed to be somewhat surprised by the intensity that was brought when the pair started working together. Nonetheless, the video didn’t impress fans who feel that the Irishman has lost greater than a step since his heyday.

McGregor’s last UFC victory got here in January of 2020, which shall be over six-and-a-half years away from the July 11 date that’s slated for his comeback. And in various videos even from this camp as he appears to be getting back in fight shape, he does seem much slower than his prime.

“Conor is DONE,” one concerned viewer replied. “All this performative s— will get him killed now. This ain’t 2016 UFC. Doesn’t matter who he fights. He’s going to lose badly.” Multiple others asked: “Is he trolling?”

There was also criticism of the 44-year-old as a serious training partner, with one viewer writing: “Dong barely threw any punches. McGregor’s downfall has all the time been having s— sparring partners.

“The guy’s primary sparring partner in his prime was a 13-15 Artem Lobov, it’s amazing he completed what he did in his profession with such s—-y sparring partners lol.”

In McGregor’s defense, Kim was in Ireland on a European vacation and never an official member of his team. The Irishman’s primary work has come from PFL star Eoin Sheridan, whose win over number eight-ranked Chris Mixan in Belfast likely can have earned him a top ten spot of their welterweight division.