UFC free fight video: Conor McGregor finishes Donald Cerrone in emphatic return at UFC 246

It took Conor McGregor only 40 seconds to announce his return with authority.

MMA’s biggest star, McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) returned after a year-long layoff to take on fan favorite Donald Cerrone in the UFC 246 main event Jan. 18, and it didn’t take long for the former UFC dual champion to get the job done.

McGregor took the fight to Cerrone from the opening. He charged forward with a big straight left hand, but after Cerrone ducked, McGregor proceeded to throw multiple shoulder strikes in the clinch that caused immediate damage to Cerrone’s nose.

After separating, McGregor landed a head kick that wobbled Cerrone. He followed that up with some ground-and-pound until referee Herb Dean waved it off.

SportsCenter decided to relive the masterful 40 seconds displayed by McGregor on its UFC free fight video: Conor McGregor finishes Donald Cerrone in emphatic return at UFC 246