• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

FIGHT BANANAS

Crazy about fights.

  • Home
  • MMA News
  • Boxing News
  • Shop
    • Jonny Bones Jones
    • My Fight Shirt
    • Roy Jones Jr
  • Advertise on Fight Bananas

Conor McGregor: I think Khabib Nurmagomedov is afraid to fight me again

January 15, 2021 by Ross Markey

McGregor
Mandatory Credit: Steven Ryan

Entangled in one of the most infamous rivalries in the history of mixed martial arts, former two-weight world champion, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor has claimed that the recently retired lightweight champion, Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov is “afraid” of a potential re-run with him in the future.

McGregor, who is currently just over a week away from making his anticipated Octagon return, draws another former opponent, former interim 155-pound titleholder, Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier in a five-round main event at UFC 257 from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Emerge with a win, McGregor would firmly solidify his status as the next contender to the lightweight title, currently held by Nurmagomedov.

Meeting with UFC president, Dana White this afternoon in Abu Dhabi, Nurmagomedov’s immediate fighting future was the subject of discussion, with the two sharing a meeting behind closed doors. Attending a UAE Warriors event afterwards, White and Nurmagomedov, along with former UFC welterweight champion, Matt Serra and renowned coach, Din Thomas filmed an episode of Lookin’ for a Fight.

With details of Nurmagomedov’s fighting future still yet to be disclosed, McGregor who recently sat down with ESPN MMA reporter, Ariel Helwani for an interview which is scheduled for release this coming Sunday, told how he believes the undefeated Dagestani is fearful of a potential rematch.

“I think he’s (Khabib Nurmagomedov) is afraid to fight me, that’s for damn sure,” McGregor said in a brief snippet released tonight. “And I don’t blame him. I know everything, I know exactly what to face [in a rematch]. I fought the best of him that night, he fought the worst of me on that night (UFC 229). He knows it, I know it, his team knows it. I have the answer to destroy that man. He can pull the wool over people’s eyes for only so long.”

“It is what it is, I know there are surrounding things regarding the family and that,” McGregor detailed. “And if he’s retired and that’s it, I wish him well and it is what it is, but I am who I am and I am at the top. Time will show.”

When asked if he believes Nurmagomedov called time on his career out of fear regarding the prospect of standing opposite him once again, McGregor didn’t hesitate to confirm that belief.

“Yes, I would say so,” McGregor replied. “I think his hand was shown. He’s not a true fighter in my opinion. How could you walk away there are so many great fights to be had? Think of the (Nate) Diaz’s, the (Tony) Ferguson’s, there are so many wild fights — the (Charles) Oliveira’s, the rematch against me. I think it’s just preposterous to walk away. I think he just — not only did he sh*t on the bus, I think he pissed on the chips also, I think he showed his hand. But then at the same time, there is family issues, and it is what it is so. All the best.”

Nurmagomedov and McGregor memorably clashed at UFC 229 in October of 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada — with a bad-blooded build-up which crossed personal, ethical, and religious lines culminating with a post-fight brawl amongst both corners and combatants following the former’s fourth-round neck crank successful title defence.

Ross Markey

Related

Filed Under: MMA, News Tagged With: conor mcgregor, khabib nurmagomedov, ufc, UFC 229

Primary Sidebar

Find It Here

Podcast

iKON 5 Preview Show Podcast

BKFC’s KnuckleMania Super Star Taylor “Killa Bee” Starling Tells ALL

David Feldman, President of Bare Knuckle FC talks all things KnuckleMania

Fight Island Preview

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Email

Highlights

Sandhagen

Cory Sandhagen: Petr Yan was served the belt on a silver platter

March 1, 2021 By Ross Markey

Streaking UFC bantamweight contender, Cory Sandhagen certainly isn't impressed with the way in which current undisputed titleholder, Petr Yan earned his moniker as the division's pacesetter -- claiming the champion … Continue Reading about Cory Sandhagen: Petr Yan was served the belt on a silver platter

Xiaonan

Report – Yan Xiaonan vs. Carla Esparza added to UFC Fight Night 192 on May 22nd.

February 27, 2021 By Ross Markey

A potential strawweight title-eliminator between surging contender, Yan Xiaonan and inaugural UFC and Invicta FC 115-pound champion, Carla Esparza has been booked for a UFC Fight Night 192 event on May 22nd. -- with … Continue Reading about Report – Yan Xiaonan vs. Carla Esparza added to UFC Fight Night 192 on May 22nd.

Gamrot

Report – Scott Holtzman vs. Mateusz Gamrot set for UFC Fight Night 188 on April 10th.

February 27, 2021 By Ross Markey

An exciting lightweight matchup between promotional mainstay, Scott 'Hot Sauce' Holtzman and recent organizational newcomer, Mateusz 'Gamer' Gamrot has been added to a UFC Fight Night 188 event on April 10th. -- … Continue Reading about Report – Scott Holtzman vs. Mateusz Gamrot set for UFC Fight Night 188 on April 10th.

Weili

Report – Zhang Weili vs. Rose Namajunas targeted for UFC 261 on April 24th.

February 26, 2021 By Ross Markey

A strawweight title matchup between reigning champion, Zhang 'Magnum' Weili, and former titleholder, 'Thug' Rose Namajunas is currently in the works for UFC 261 on April 24th. -- with the UFC Apex facility in Las … Continue Reading about Report – Zhang Weili vs. Rose Namajunas targeted for UFC 261 on April 24th.

Mix

Report – Patchy Mix vs. James Gallagher in the works for Bellator 258 on May 7th.

February 26, 2021 By Ross Markey

A potential Bellator MMA bantamweight title-eliminator between recent championship challenger, Patchy 'No Love' Mix and streaking submission specialist, James 'The Strabanimal' Gallagher is currently targeted to … Continue Reading about Report – Patchy Mix vs. James Gallagher in the works for Bellator 258 on May 7th.

Copyright © 2019 - FightBananas.com | All Rights Reserved | Designed & Powered by The One Stop Blog Shop
✕