FloCombat believes all matters can be settled through healthy debate.

So when our fearless Senior Editor, Duane Finley, let it slip that he believes popular "Game of Thrones" character “The Mountain,” professional strongman Hafthor Julius Bjornsson, could actually beat Conor McGregor in a fight, we knew it was time to chuck off the (metaphorical) gloves and throw down (using big-boy words).

As part of an ongoing series, "The Counter,” we'll tackle various subjects within the sport of MMA, settling scores in a back-and-forth, one-on-one format.

Debating out of the blue corner will be myself, Hunter Homistek, riffing out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In the red corner is Mr. Finley, sounding off from beautiful Indianapolis, Indiana.

Today's debate: Could Hafthor Julius Bjornsson Actually Beat Conor McGregor?

Round 1: Debate!

Hunter Homistek: I can’t believe we’re here. I truly can’t. This question is like Oberyn Martell: a no-brainer. (Spoiler alert) No, the giant of a man known as The Mountain couldn’t beat Conor McGregor in a real fight. I can’t believe you texted me this morning and took the strongman’s side. Are you insane?

Duane Finley: There are clear clinical issues where I’m concerned, but let’s not get off point here. I texted you that ish because The Mountain was confirming he would indeed have smashed McGregor “Viper Pumpkin” style had they actually fought. Now you know I love me some CMG, but the fact you disagreed with the notion that a beast of a human being like Bjornsson would crush McGregor in an actual fight has me wondering if you need therapy.

McGregor is a true fighter and martial artist, just as Bjornsson is a strongman/powerlifter. Yet, Bruce Lee shit is for the movies. Bjornsson would eventually get a hand on him and just smother the life out of McGregor. I don’t even know why we are arguing about this.

Hunter: We’re arguing about it because you’re wrong. And the world needs to know you’re wrong. Here’s the thing: The Mountain has an athletic background… playing Division I professional basketball in Iceland, where he averaged about seven points per game. Aside from that, he’s really good at picking shit up.

It’s not the type of resume that gives me any sort of confidence he’d hang with Conor in the realm of combat. At all. There’s more to it than just being big — and I’ll give you this: He is fuc*ing big. And strong. But at the end of the day, it is what it is, and he’s not a fighter. Conor would manage the distance and destroy him with body shots and/or leg kicks. 

I’ll flip it back to you on this: How does The Mountain close the distance with no background doing so — then what does he do once he’s there?

Duane: He closes the distance by walking through everything the smaller McGregor would throw at him. Seriously... do you think a leg kick, push kick, or a jab is going to keep that damn beast off him?! The Mountain goes full Brock Lesnar bull-rush and snatches him up. Once that happens, it’s a wrap. Or as Khabib Nurmagomedov would say... SMESH!

Hunter: You know I’m a sucker for the SMESH. The problem, though, is that your claim is No. 1 bullshit. This whole narrative began because The Mac Life posted footage of them play-sparring. In that video, The Mountain actually does tie up McGregor. And you know what happens? McGregor breaks the clinch and resets.

Duane: Stress the word PLAY. You really think McGregor could get Mountain’s mitts off him if one of the strongest men in the world didn’t want to let go? Punch him all you want. The dude deadlifts Volvos. Guarantee that core is rock solid. And since I know you are going to fish around for a puncher’s chance let me point out that Sequoia-sized neck of Bjornsson. No way.

Today I had a bare-knuckle fight off a 180kg monster called 'The Mountain'
I'd never fought a man that big before. pic.twitter.com/BM22JOeZK1

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 31, 2015

Hunter: I mean, if we’re going the “Oh, it’s just play-fighting” route, I could just as easily say, “You think McGregor would let him get his hands on him in real sparring?” I’m just taking what’s presented in the video.

Look, we know from firsthand experience, I had 100 pounds on Cub Swanson and 130 on Hannah Scoggins and it did me no good.

Granted, my core is made out of Cheetos and beer, and I can’t even lift my spirits after a Steelers loss. But those are just semantics.

Duane: All I’m saying is this: McGregor would need a spear with a blade dipped in poison. He still gets his head crushed all over the concrete though. FACTS!

Also FACT: The Mountain would get an interim title for that fight.

Hunter: Now THAT’S something we can agree on.

To officially close out this debate, let’s agree on something else: This fight is never happening, and we all just wasted our time. Well done. 

What say you, reader? Who takes it: Conor McGregor or The Mountain? Hit us up on Twitter @FloCombat to voice your opinion.