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Conor McGregor rips Islam Makhachev amid speculation over infection pre-UFC 302: ‘This inbred lives with staph’

Conor McGregor rips Islam Makhachev amid speculation over infection pre UFC 302 this inbred lives with staph Conor McGregor has hit out at undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev on social media once more tonight – labelling…

Conor McGregor has hit out at undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev on social media once more tonight – labelling the Russian force “inbred”, with speculation rife that the champion is dealing with a staph infection in his leg ahead of his UFC 302 title fight with Dustin Poirier this weekend.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter, has been sidelined since he turned in a one-sided first round high-kick knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski in October of last year in the pair’s short-notice title fight rematch.

Ticket prices described as "criminal" for UFC 303 as Conor McGregor return set to land +$20,000,000 gate — Mandatory Credit: Mike Strobe

And this weekend, the Makhackala native returns atop UFC 302 in New Jersey, attempting to defend his divisional crown for a third time in a showdown against the returning former interim gold holder, Poirier.

And posing for pre-fight photos donning his championship belt and sporting the glove-colored Octagon gloves, fans on social media appeared to point to a potential health concern for Makhachev ahead of the bout, noticing some discoloring and a sizeable indent on the champion’s left leg.

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Conor McGregor accuses Islam Makhachev of having staph ahead of UFC 302

Reacting to claims, the above-mentioned, McGregor – who himself was sounded out as a future opponent as soon as September by Makhachev, speculated he was suffering from a staph infection, in and insulting tirade.

Islam Makhachev unhappy with new gloves ahead of UFC 302 fight they will cause more cuts — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“Staph again,” Conor McGregor posted in reply to photos of Islam Makhachev. “This inbred, however, lives with staph. This team is infested, make no mistake. Scuff balls. Whatever ya’s are into, I suppose. He still subs Dustin in the 1st.”

Staph again. This inbred however lives with Staph. This team is infested, make no mistake. Scruff balls. Whatever ya’s are into, I suppose. He still subs Dustin in the 1st. https://t.co/8ducNYStAk

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 29, 2024

“Yous absolute scuffy f*cks I’m sick of yous,” Conor McGregor posted. “Wash your f*cking selfs! Wash your clothes! Wash your mats! And do it f*cking everyday you scuffy c*nts.”

Do you think Islam Makhachev is dealing with a staph infection pre-UFC 302?

Islam Makhachev offers to help train Charles Oliveira ahead of rumored fight with Colby Covington

Islam Makhachev is more than happy to show Charles Oliveira a thing or two on the mat. On Saturday,…

Islam Makhachev is more than happy to show Charles Oliveira a thing or two on the mat.

On Saturday, June 1, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ will return to the Octagon for the first time in 2024 when he headlines UFC 302 airing live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Meeting him in the main event will be Dustin Poirier, a hardened veteran determined to “finish his story” and claim Makahchev’s 155-pound crown.

Ahead of his clash with ‘The Diamond’ in The Garden State, Makhachev sat down with members of the press at the UFC 303 media day. There, he mostly addressed questions surrounding his upcoming fight, but there was one moment when Makhachev issued an invite to Charles Oliveira — the man he defeated for the lightweight belt at UFC 280.

With rumors swirling of a fight between ‘Do Bronx’ and three-time title challenger Colby Covington, Makhachev invited his former foe to Dagestan, offering to help him hone his wrestling skills.

“Charles is a good guy, if I can help him, he can join us in our camp in Dagestan,” Makhachev said. “He has very good striking, we can help him with wrestling.”

Charles Oliviera ready to test the welterweight waters after losses to Islam makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan

Of course, Makhachev and Oliveira are no strangers to one another. After scoring a second-round submission victory over the Brazilian in late 2022, the two were set to run it back at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, but a cut sustained whilst training forced ‘Do Bronx’ to bow out of the bout, paving the way for the Makhachev vs. Volkanovski rematch.

Since then, Oliveira has suffered another loss, surrendering a split decision to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300. With even more distance between himself and a shot at the lightweight strap, it’s possible that he could be looking to test the waters at welterweight.

Photos – Dustin Poirier set to wear custom floral fight shorts for UFC 302 clash with Islam Makhachev

Following the recent introduction of custom shorts for UFC 300 earlier this year, incoming lightweight title challenger, Dustin Poirier…

Following the recent introduction of custom shorts for UFC 300 earlier this year, incoming lightweight title challenger, Dustin Poirier is set to follow suit and receive the same treatment – confirming he will sport a pair of custom floral board shorts for his clash with Islam Makhachev.

Poirier, the current number four ranked lightweight contender, is slated to return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC 302, headlining in an undisputed title challenge against pound-for-pound number one at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Dustin Poirier vows to knock out Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 the ref's gonna be pulling me off of him — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Earning his third challenge at the undisputed throne back in March, Lafayette veteran, Poirier turned in an impressive second round win over surging Nimes native, Benoit Saint-Denis, felling the Frenchman with a big rallying knockout victory.

Dustin Poirier receives custom shorts for UFC 302 return

And confirming he is set to sport a pair of long-awaited floral shorts this weekend at UFC 302, former interim champion, Poirier follows in the vein of Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje, Zhang Weili, and Alex Pereira in receiving their own custom Venum fight shorts.

“Got them custom boys!!” Dustin Poirier posted on his official Instagram account.

Along with the return of custom fight shorts for Poirier – the main event clash against Makhachev will also see the pair don a pair of new fight gloves, in a gold-colored theme for their championship fight – despite the unhappiness the defending gold holder has stressed about the equipment.

Islam Makhachev calls for division move after UFC 302 I've already beat everyone at lightweight — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacece

Winning interim lightweight gold back in 2019, Poirier took out the above-mentioned former featherweight champion, Holloway in the pair’s rematch in Atlanta.

Another interesting caveat to this weekend’s title fight sees the inclusion of former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov into the corner of Makhachev – with the Hall of Fame star submitting Poirier in the former’s title unification showdown.

Who wins this weekend in Newark: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

Khabib Nurmagomedov set to corner Islam Makhachev for UFC 302 fight in New Jersey: ‘The Eagle has landed’

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to return to corner duties this weekend at UFC 302, coaching…

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to return to corner duties this weekend at UFC 302, coaching current division titleholder and close friend, Islam Makhachev for his title fight defense against former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier.

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee under the banner of the promotion, had called time on his coaching career since the above-mentioned, Makhachev won gold in a title fight victory against Charles Oliveira back in 2022.

In the time since, Nurmagomedov, who himself ended his career in combat sports off the back of a lightweight title unification win over Justin Gaethje four years ago – decided against coaching Makhachev in the corner for his pair of clashes with Alexander Volkanovski last year.

Khabib Nurmagomedov set to corner at UFC 302

However, featuring prominently in the wings of the Russian star for his camp to take on Poirier at UFC 302, Nurmagomedov is officially set to serve as a cornerman for Makhachev this weekend at the Prudential Center.

Khabib Nurmagomedov linked with fighting return amid alleged tax bill from Russia we might see him back in the UFC — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

“News – [The] Eagle is landed in Jersey City,” Islam Makhachev said of Khabib Nurmagomedov on the UFC’s official X account. “He’s gonna be in my corner. Honestly, I’m very happy because he’s one of the best corner [men], coach, brother, [and] friend. That’s it.”

Guiding the above-mentioned, Makhachev to his lightweight title coronation against Sao Paulo native, Oliveira, Nurmagomedov provided his prediction for this weekend’s clash with Poirier – claiming a submission win inside two rounds was on the cards.

“Many people underestimate Dustin Poirier,” Khabib Nurmagomedov said. “I personally fought him, spent three and over 10 minutes with him, and I have a good sense of his strengths and weaknesses. We are working hard on these aspects.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals clear plan for Islam Makhachev to finish Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“Dustin Poirier is very experienced; he’s been in many battles already,” Khabib Nurmagomedov explained. “Yes, he has lost, but he also has many victories in the UFC, more than 22 or 23 wins. Using our slang, he is a seasoned warrior. You can’t take him lightly. We have great respect for Dustin, but on June 1. he is our opponent. We have a clearly developed plan for the fight, and I believe Islam (Makhachev) will follow it. I really hope that Islam will finish him off in the second or third round.”

Are you happy to see Khabib Nurmagomedov make a return to the corner at UFC 302?

Dustin Poirier reveals the one mistake he cannot make against Islam Makhachev in their title fight at UFC 302

Dustin Poirier has to push the pace if he hopes to leave The Garden State with UFC gold wrapped…

Dustin Poirier has to push the pace if he hopes to leave The Garden State with UFC gold wrapped around his waist.

After coming up short in two previous title bids against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, Poirier will step into the main event spotlight for one final shot at the 155-pound crown when he meets the former’s protege, Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 on June 1.

Though ‘The Diamond’ has already faced a who’s who of Hall of Fame talent inside the Octagon, his fight against the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ may be his toughest yet. Speaking with TMZ days away from fight night, Poirier revealed the one mistake he has to avoid against a fighter like Makhachev.

“People who try to slow the fight down and make it a grappling chess match,” Poirier said. “Those have been the hardest fights for me to get going because I do best when it stays a fight. When it doesn’t slow down when it’s a scramble with punches flying and both of us bleeding, that’s where I do the best work, and I’m not trying to hold him down and win rounds.

“I’m trying to knock him out and hurt him and finish him and get out of there. That’s the way I fight” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

Dustin Poirier details his keys to victory at uFC 302

As Poirier broke down the one thing he knows he can’t do, he offered up a laundry list of equally important things he must do if he wants to “finish his story” inside the Prudential Center.

“Be in the moment, be reactive to all of his shots,” Poirier continued. “Don’t get overzealous throwing power shots where I take myself out of position and become an easy target for a trip or a takedown. Don’t play the clinch. There’s a list of things. Don’t play in the clinch with him. He has really good foot sweeps, really strong upper body. Keep it a fight. Use my wheels. Stay moving. Keep him guessing and then tighten him up.”

With a plethora of noteworthy opponents, an interim title to his credit, and a career guaranteed to make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Dustin Poirier has little left to prove, but that doesn’t mean he’s content walking away without checking off one last box on his to-do list in mixed martial arts.

Joe Rogan set to return to commentary call at UFC 302 for lightweight title fight in New Jersey homecoming

Newark’s own, Joe Rogan will make his return to the commentary booth this weekend following his recent absence amid…

Newark’s own, Joe Rogan will make his return to the commentary booth this weekend following his recent absence amid the Octagon’s travel to South America, calling the action as part of a three-man team in New Jersey for UFC 302: Makhachev vs. Poirier.

Rogan, a long-time color commentator stalwart under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined from duties since he called the monumental UFC 300 event back in April in Las Vegas, watching on as light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira rounded out the card with a blistering knockout win over Jamahal Hil.

Joe Rogan set to miss UFC 301 card in Brazil as Paul Felder makes trip for South America fight card — Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Joe Rogan calls the action from UFC 302 this weekend

And this weekend, the veteran broadcaster returns home to his native Newark, forming a three-man booth alongside fellow color commentator, Daniel Cormier, and staple play-by-play lead, Jon Anik. News of Joe Rogan’s inclusion on the pay-per-view return to the East Coast was first reported by MMA Fighting.

Set to call the action in a championship setting once more – Rogan and co will watch on as undisputed lightweight champion and current pound-for-pound pacesetter, Islam Makhachev attempts to rack up his third successful defense of the title in a showdown against former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier.

Joe Rogan UFC 300 Zuffa LLC — Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato

In the night’s co-main event at the Prudential Center, former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland returns as he takes on former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa – with the pair vying for a potential title-eliminator in their immediate future.

Rogan, who typically centers his commentary duties to North American events – particularly flagship cards, was drafted out of UFC 301 last month in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – with former lightweight contender, Paul Felder replacing the veteran caller on the microphone.

UFC 302 takes place this weekend from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey – with Islam Makhachev’s title clash with Dustin Poirier slated to take main event honors in ‘The Garden State’.

Are you happy to see Joe Rogan return to the booth for UFC 302?