Khabib Nurmagomedov might have got the victory in his first encounter with Conor McGregor. But, the rivalry between Conor and Khabib is far from over.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Conor McGregor trashed Khabib Nurmagomedov for walking away from the sport. He even went on to call Khabib’s call a coward move. However, Conor was respectful of Khabib’s decision at the same time Khabib took the decision, keeping his family in his mind.
“How could you walk away with so many great fights to have. Think of the Diaz, Ferguson, Oliveira, the rematch against me, I think it is just preposterous to walk away. Not only did he shit on the bus he shit on the chips also. I think he showed his hands. But at the same time, there is the family issue. So it is what it is. All the best.”
A motivated Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov, who will win?
Conor also claimed that in a rematch with Khabib the outcome would be completely different than the first match’s. Conor stated:
“I think he’s afraid to fight me. I don’t blame him. I fought the best of him on that night. He fought the worst of me on that night. I have the answer to destroy that man. He can pull the wall over people’s eyes for only so long. It is what it is. I know there is surrounding things the family and that, if he is retired then I wish him well. It is what it is. I am who I am and I am at the top. Time will show.”
“I think he’s afraid to fight me. That’s for damn sure and I don’t blame him. I fought the best of him on that night, he fought the worst of me on that night.”@TheNotoriousMMA told @arielhelwani he has “the answer” to “destroy” Khabib Nurmagomedov. pic.twitter.com/sH0SoNZflm
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 15, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov is arguably the greatest grappler in MMA history. However, he is not an elite striker such as Conor. And that’s the only aspect of the fight game where Conor can outclass Khabib Nurmagomedov. If the fight goes to the ground, Khabib will have the upper hand against Conor. However, Conor’s devastating left hand is always a great equalizer. If he lands clean on Khabib in the early rounds then we might see Khabib in deep trouble. And that’s the only way Conor could avenge his loss against Khabib.
Though Khabib Nurmagomedov has announced retirement from the sport the fans are hopeful for one more octagon appearance from the Eagle. Recently, Khabib had a meeting with Dana White regarding his future in UFC. However, there has not been any confirmation from White on the return of the lightweight champion yet.