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Despite the very harsh words McGregor had for him before his clash with Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s father, is willing to extend an olive branch of peace to the Irishman.
Via BloodyElbow.com:
“Distinguished guests, I invite again to the tournament our close friend [actor and former UFC fighter] Oleg Taktarov and McGregor,” Abdulmanap said, per Russia Today. “I said that I forgive him [for all the insults], it’s important to be kind-hearted!”
This comes after Nurmagomedov brawled with McGregor’s teammates after tapping “The Notorious” in the fourth round of their main event at UFC 229. The melee has his immediate future, and that of his teammates, in doubt, with Nurmagomedov having threatened to leave the UFC if they cut his teammate. UFC president Dana White insists all is good and Khabib is not going anywhere.
The elder Nurmagomedov disapproved of his son’s actions after UFC 229, saying his discipline of Khabib would be more severe than the UFC’s. Before the bout, McGregor called him a “quivering coward” and a traitor to his country. Despite the kind-hearted forgiveness, it might not be in Conor’s best interests to take up the offer to train in Dagestan anytime soon- even if he can’t buy the rematch he is hoping for.
Insomnia
Chris Weidman is determined to stay on the card in his hometown, and he will, against Jacare. Hopefully they get Cannonier as a replacement for Branch to stay on the card.
I am focused on this fight. I’ll be at MSG on Nov 3. Doesn’t matter who they put in front of me. I’m getting my belt back. My management and ufc will figure the rest out.
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) October 19, 2018
Weidman vs. Jacare is done, per Dana White. UFC trying to keep David Branch, who was scheduled to fight Jacare, on the card. Jared Cannonier is a possibility, but not done.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 20, 2018
I’m seriously considering buying one of these Derrick Lewis T-shirts.
UFC 230 has a curse hanging over it but somehow it’s still a half-decent fight card.
Reason for withdrawal is injury to Rockhold, per sources.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 19, 2018
Nate Diaz is taking this Dustin Poirier injury to heart.
This guy mysteriously pulls out wit no injury and it’s crickets from from the whole roster ?
I’m going back out on tour till the game mans up ..
Shoutout to @GamebredFighter hes down respect pic.twitter.com/r7HHF0sco0— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) October 19, 2018
Nate Diaz and the UFC aren’t in a great place right now thanks to the Dustin Poirier injury.
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) October 19, 2018
On the heels of good news on Poirier’s hip, I asked UFC president Dana White if Poirier/Diaz is a fight he’d want to re-book.
“I’m not interested in making a Diaz fight until Diaz is just absolutely dying to fight. When he’s ready to fight he’ll let us know.”
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 19, 2018
I’m not sure that it’s the greatest, but this tweet by Wanderlei Silva is definitely a classic.
We’re almost at the 7-year anniversary of the greatest tweet in MMA history.
I feel old. https://t.co/jbrsSfsGhx
— The Naked Gambler (@NakedGambling) October 19, 2018
This is a bit of a niche meme but it’s topical.
How should I fund my fight promotion? pic.twitter.com/W458kkiWqZ
— OD?Karaev Fan (@Karaev_Fan) October 17, 2018
Why wouldn’t this be real? Floyd Mayweather has a fast jab. That’s not a secret.
Cain Velasquez beating Junior Dos Santos six shades of purple is frankly still not easy to watch. I didn’t make it all the way through the clip.
Cory already posted this in the comments thread a few days ago but this was too funny not to include at some point.
Slick sweep by the cop, but I don’t know why the guy was trying to save the dude he was just fighting with.
This guy knows his pay grade and what isn’t on it.
Urijah Faber found this funny but that’s gonna be tough to cover up
Credit to Dana White for getting this right: Tony Ferguson is next in line for Khabib Nurmagomedov because he damn well deserves to be.
GREAT answer. As a fight fan, I agree. pic.twitter.com/2QdkeElzqf
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 19, 2018
I really do feel bad now because Tito Ortiz is trying, man. He’s getting the words out there. They just aren’t in the right order sometimes, that happens to the best of us.
#ClassicTito #LiddellOrtiz3 pic.twitter.com/8NI8D04ONN
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) October 19, 2018
This is the kind of guard passing I aspire to!
Daniel Cormier wants to assure Derrick Lewis he is taking him seriously!
Trust me Derrick I am definitely taking you serious!!!! 9-1 last 10 and ranked #2 in the world. How could I not take you serious! #andstill #ufc230 pic.twitter.com/zq9vkYDP2G
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 19, 2018
Jon “Bones” Jones in comic book form.
Now, this is my game. I would smoke Dillon Danis at table tennis… unless that setup means he’s a real-life Forrest Gump.
i have never lost a ping pong game pic.twitter.com/eKZywJ2SMx
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) October 18, 2018
Honey badger don’t care. Honey badgers will fight anything.
Honey badgers defending their territory from a pride of lions pic.twitter.com/4mhv2dd8A0
— Nature is Scary (@TheScaryNature) October 3, 2018
Podcasts and Video
MMA Ratings talks Eddie Alvarez and Jones vs. Gustafsson
Random Land
Good Grief Apocalypse, Charlie Brown
Old Man Charlie Brown. Art by Max Dunbar pic.twitter.com/KgKmMAAWNO
— Ziggy (@mrjafri) October 19, 2018
Stay woke, Maniacs! Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @Vorpality