This video features the Notorious Conor McGregor competing in the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) European Nogi Open- 2012. It begins with Conor in his opponents closed guard.

He does a good job of squaring his hips and preventing his opponent from creating an angle necessary to isolate one of Conor’s limbs or head. The opponent, for his part, does an excellent job of controlling Conor’s posture.

Eventually Mcgregor creates space and stands up. His opponent attempts a basic sweep, where he controls Conor’s ankles and pushes his knees into Conor’s hips, knocking him back. Conor reaches his arm out to prevent the opponent taking top position (a sweep is worth 2 points in IBJJF competition).

His opponent quickly attacks the arm, rolling onto it with his hips. But Conor defends well – rolling along, keeping his arm tight, and bullying himself back between the legs. They end up where they started, with Conor in the closed guard. They remain here in apparent stalemate until Conor creates space and stands up again.

His opponent attempts the same sweep from before but Conor deftly steps one leg behind him for base and initiates a knee-through pass.

But After a little while his opponent re-guards ad the whole process repeats itself.

Conor is unable to pass and his opponent is unable to sweep or submit. Then after a scramble the referee resets them to a standing position. Conor achieves a front headlock and sits down for a guillotine choke. His opponent slips out though and now its Conor who is on the bottom of closed guard.

The opponent lets Conor up though and then pulls guard. The match ends with Conor still trying to pass. Its unclear from the footage who won and the match is decidedly lackluster (even for IBJJF standards).

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But its fascinating to see the young McGregor, now UFC Champion, competing at purple belt in a humble grappling event before the wild fame and success.