Tag: Khabib Nurmagomedov

Dana White denies rumor Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov were friends prior to UFC 229 title fight

Conor McGregor scathing dig at Khabib Nurmagomedov accuses him of bestialityUFC CEO Dana White says Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov were never friends. McGregor and Nurmagomedov fought at UFC…

Conor McGregor scathing dig at Khabib Nurmagomedov accuses him of bestiality

UFC CEO Dana White says Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov were never friends.

McGregor and Nurmagomedov fought at UFC 229 and it is the biggest UFC pay-per-view of all time. The lead-up to the fight was full of trash-talk as the two did not like one another. Yet, before the fight, a picture of the two backstage at an event went viral and some fans claimed they used to be friends.

Conor McGregor hits out at Khabib Nurmagomedov dead rats in the swamp anniversary of UFC fight
Mandatory Credit: Esther Lin – MMA Fighting

However, Dana White says the two were never friends and instead says there was a bit of mutual respect but once they knew they were on a collision course, everything changed.

“Their rise was at the same time, White told former New England Patriots star Julian Edelman on the Games With Names podcast (h/t talkSport). “The problem you are talking about when people say ‘they were boys’, they were never really boys it was like a mutual [respect], you are dealing with two hardcore f***ing alpha males. These guys are both killers. They both want to be the best. They both wanna win and they are both willing to fight anyone and do anything to be the best. So, when you get those two types of guys there’s no being buddies. Those two are on a collision course before they even knew they were.”

Of course, part of the reason for the two starting to dislike one another was at UFC 223 fight week when Nurmagomedov slapped Artem Lobov who was a close friend and teammate of McGregor. The Irishman then threw the dolly at the bus which led to the fighting later that year.

Conor McGregor targeting summer return

Conor McGregor has said it’s all systems go to return this summer against Michael Chandler.

McGregor hasn’t fought since July of 2021 when he broke his leg in the trilogy match against Dustin Poirier. Before that, he suffered a knockout loss to Poirier which was an upset at the time.

Conor McGregor provides new update on UFC return negotiations are ongoing I'm eager for a return
Mandatory Credit: Kate Green

The Irishman is just 1-3 in his last four with his lone winning coming by a 40-second TKO over Donald Cerrone and losing by submission to Nurmagomedov.

What are your thoughts on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s spat with Conor McGregor?

Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals dark thoughts ahead of Conor McGregor fight: ‘I don’t think I would kill him’

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregorThough they only shared the Octagon once, the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is among the most…

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor

Though they only shared the Octagon once, the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is among the most volatile in UFC history.

Six months after capturing the lightweight title against Al Iaquinta at UFC 223, ‘The Eagle’ stepped inside the cage with Conor McGregor in what would become the highest-grossing pay-per-view in promotional history — a record that still stands today.

Nurmagomedov largely dominated the bout with his signature Dagestani wrestling and eventually submitted the Irishman in the fourth round via rear-naked choke.

Looking back on their fierce feud and his victory over ‘Mystic Mac’ at UFC 229, Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed that under different circumstances, he likely wouldn’t have relinquished the choke until McGregor had fully passed out. …Or worse.

“Would I have let go? No, I wouldn’t have,” he said in an interview with Red Corner MMA. “It’s that moment when your emotional state reaches its peak, touching the ceiling. He and I knew what we were going for. It’s not like when you meet someone on the street and start choking him. He is one of the best fighters in the world.

“We were appointed to fight in half a year; we go out and find out who is the best. Would I kill him? I don’t think I would kill him but to the point of passing out, yes. Would I have controlled myself? We’ll never know. How long I would have choked him is a good question. I don’t know.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov walked away from MMA two fights later

Khabib Nurmagomdeov would go on to defend his lightweight title two more times against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje before laying down his gloves and his gold in October 2020, officially retiring from the sport with a 29-0 record.

Conor McGregor has only won once since his loss to Nurmagomedov, which was a 40-second TKO victory against a past-his-prime Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC 246.

Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals dark thoughts ahead of Conor McGregor fight: ‘I don’t think I would kill him’

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregorThough they only shared the Octagon once, the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is among the most…

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor

Though they only shared the Octagon once, the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is among the most volatile in UFC history.

Six months after capturing the lightweight title against Al Iaquinta at UFC 223, ‘The Eagle’ stepped inside the cage with Conor McGregor in what would become the highest-grossing pay-per-view in promotional history — a record that still stands today.

Nurmagomedov largely dominated the bout with his signature Dagestani wrestling and eventually submitted the Irishman in the fourth round via rear-naked choke.

Looking back on their fierce feud and his victory over ‘Mystic Mac’ at UFC 229, Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed that under different circumstances, he likely wouldn’t have relinquished the choke until McGregor had fully passed out. …Or worse.

“Would I have let go? No, I wouldn’t have,” he said in an interview with Red Corner MMA. “It’s that moment when your emotional state reaches its peak, touching the ceiling. He and I knew what we were going for. It’s not like when you meet someone on the street and start choking him. He is one of the best fighters in the world.

“We were appointed to fight in half a year; we go out and find out who is the best. Would I kill him? I don’t think I would kill him but to the point of passing out, yes. Would I have controlled myself? We’ll never know. How long I would have choked him is a good question. I don’t know.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov walked away from MMA two fights later

Khabib Nurmagomdeov would go on to defend his lightweight title two more times against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje before laying down his gloves and his gold in October 2020, officially retiring from the sport with a 29-0 record.

Conor McGregor has only won once since his loss to Nurmagomedov, which was a 40-second TKO victory against a past-his-prime Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC 246.

UFC icon Khabib Nurmagomedov urges son against chasing MMA career: ‘Athletes are not normal people’

Khabib Nurmagomedov urges son away from chasing MMA career athletes are not normal people UFCFormer undisputed lightweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Khabib Nurmagomedov has claimed his son with train in some…

Khabib Nurmagomedov urges son away from chasing MMA career athletes are not normal people UFC

Former undisputed lightweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Khabib Nurmagomedov has claimed his son with train in some form of discipline of mixed martial arts in the future, however, has discouraged him from pursuing a career in the UFC – claiming athletes are far from “normal people”.

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight titleholder under banner of the above-mentioned, UFC, called time on his unbeaten career back in 2019, off the back of a stunning 29-0 professional mixed martial arts run.

Landing in the Fighter Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame off the back of his retirement, American Kickboxing Academy staple, Nurmagomedov most recently took out former interim lightweight kingpin, Justin Gaethje with a dominant triangle choke submission win – in a career-highlight performance.

Khabib Nurmagomedov talks son away from MMA career

Turning his hand to training and coaching at the San Jose facility in the time since, Nurmagomedov famously led teammate, Islam Makhachev to a title coronation against former champion, Charles Oliveira almost two years ago. 

Revealing his youngest son questioned if he himself could fight like compatriot, Makhachev, Nurmagomedov detailed how while he would encourage his children to train in mixed martial arts – he has no interest in seeing them fight professionally.

“I know for sure he’s going to train,” Khabib Nurmagomedov told Miftaah Institute Vancouver about his son. “He just asks me too much questions because when I retired he was only 3 years old. A couple of weeks ago he asked me, ‘Father, can you fight like Islam Makhachev? Because he’s a very good fighter, I never seen you fight like him.’ I’m like, ‘Okay, this is a very good question.’”

“Personally, I don’t want him to become a professional athlete, I’m not gonna hold him [back], but honestly, I don’t want.” Khabib Nurmagomedov explained. 

Speaking on the chances of featuring in mixed martial arts again, Dagestan native, Nurmagomedov revealed his manager, Ali Abdelaziz was broached about the prospect of him UFC 300 – which was immediately shut down. 

Do you think Khabib Nurmagomedov ever fights in MMA again?

NBA star Steph Curry gifts UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov game-worn jersey following win

Khabib meets Steph CurryKhabib Nurmagomedov was gifted a signed jersey from NBA icon Steph Curry. The former UFC lightweight world champion was courtside at…

Khabib meets Steph Curry

Khabib Nurmagomedov was gifted a signed jersey from NBA icon Steph Curry.

The former UFC lightweight world champion was courtside at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto as Curry and the Golden State Warriors secured a 120-105 win over the Raptors. During the game, ‘The Eagle’ couldn’t help, but marvel at seeing the four-time NBA champion in action.

“It’s different experience to watch live one of the best NBA player in the world,” Nurmagomedov wrote on X along with a photo of Curry on the court.

Following the game, the two engaged in a brief conversation before Curry handed his game-worn jersey to ‘The Eagle’ with his autograph and a message. “To Khabib, all love champ,” the two-time MVP wrote.

Curry tallied a team-leading 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists to lead Golden State to victory. Though the team had a rough start to the 2023/2024 season, the Warriors have now won 11 of their last 13 games. They’ll be back on the court on Saturday, March 2 for a meeting with the Eastern Conference’s top dogs, the Boston Celtics.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Plans to remain happily retired

Khabib Nurmagomedov is considered to be one of the greatest mixed martial artists in the history of the sport. Going 29-0 in his career, ‘The Eagle’ captured the UFC lightweight title, defending it three times against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje before laying down his gloves and riding off into retirement in 2020.

Despite repeated efforts by the UFC to draw him back in with fat stacks of cash, ‘The Eagle’ has remained adamant that he is retired and will be staying that way.

Khabib Nurmagomedov once again shuts down rumors of a return to the Octagon: ‘I will never change this’

Khabib NurmagomedovKhabib Nurmagomedov is never coming back. Whether or not you believe he is the GOAT of MMA, you can’t…

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov is never coming back.

Whether or not you believe he is the GOAT of MMA, you can’t deny that Nurmagomedov’s run in mixed martial arts was unprecedented. ‘The Eagle’ went an incredible 29-0 in his career, including three lightweight title defenses against three of the division’s biggest names — Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.

In October 2020, Nurmagomedov laid down his gold, announcing that he would be retiring from the sport following the passing of his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Nearly four years later, he continues to remain adamant that his days competing in a cage are over despite some pretty lucrative offers coming his way.

Recently, it was reported that he was offered a whopping $40 million to make a return at UFC 300.

Addressing rumors of a comeback at the promotion’s landmark event on April 13, Nurmagomedov revealed that his longtime manager, Ali Abdelaziz, had fielded a call from the UFC, but was quick to shut down any hope that he would strap on the four-ounce gloves ever again.

“I know they connected with Ali, but I told Ali… never call me about a fight,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie. They never connect with me directly, but I know some people from the UFC connected with Ali, but I told them already once… I told them a lot of times — all the people that tried to bring me back — that I decided [to retire] in October 2020. It was my last fight and I will never change this.”

Since putting a cap on his own MMA career, Khabib Nurmagomedov has seen his friend and protege Islam Makhachev ascend to the top of the lightweight division, claiming the top prize with a stunning second-round submission victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.

Makhachev has defended the title twice, besting former featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski in back-to-back bouts, the most recent of which came in October. The ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ is currently in the market for a new dance partner, but it is slim pickings with most of the division’s top dogs already booked elsewhere.