I have a simmilar experience. I know a guy who never knew what was mma. Then he saw it on TV in a bar, finished a beer and googled that there is a club nearby and joined for the second half of the class. As far as i know he could beat up most of guys there on his first day and he became a champ in his class after like 6 months in MMA and in no-gi grappling. 10 years later he is one of the best in the country and his ability to read what you are planning to do is like he has been in the future and seen you already do it.
Simmilar to McGregor who actually throws weird punches but the way he reads the movement and how he feels the distance changes the need for a correct punch - he can time a silly shot so well that half the power comes from you moving towards it and not from himself…you cant teach that - its genetics. Thats why the best athletes can often be shit coaches - they are good because of some genetic super-power so to say and they cant teach that. Just like Chris Bumstead couldnt make anyone Mr.O to save his life. His achievements are not because of something physical like something you can actually do.