Conor McGregor still has a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov in mind, although he acknowledges that the chances of this happening have greatly decreased.
The former two-time UFC champion said Thursday at the UFC 257 press conference that he believes there are many pending deals between him and Nurmagomedov. But if Nurmagomedov wants to retire, McGregor said he would have no choice but to move on.
Nurmagomedov’s father and head coach, Abdulmanap, died last summer due to complications from COVID-19. Nurmagomedov, the current UFC lightweight champion, announced his retirement after defending the title over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October. He has always maintained the position that he has retired in interviews since, although he left a small window open for a comeback.
“It’s a tough business,” said McGregor. “Things happened in your personal life. I wish him no harm. As I said, it was in 2018. A lot of time has passed. The world knows that this fight is not over. This war is not over. Sport needs to happen; people need it to happen. I won’t chase him if he doesn’t want to. And that’s it. I will stay calm and move on. And that is what I am doing. I’m back here in the 155 pound division. I will show the world what happens over time. “
Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor via submission in the fourth round at UFC 229 in October 2018. Preparation for the fight was ugly, with McGregor being arrested for throwing a doll out of a bus window in search of Nurmagomedov, who slapped his teammate McGregor Artem Lobov’s days before. After Nurmagomedov’s victory over McGregor, he left the octagon and started a fight with McGregor’s team. Inside the cage, McGregor was attacked by Nurmagomedov training partners. There were several suspensions issued by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
McGregor and Nurmagomedov are at the same hotel this week in Abu Dhabi. McGregor faces Dustin Poirier in the UFC 257 main event on Saturday. Nurmagomedov is in town to work in the corner of his cousin Umar, who won Wednesday on the UFC Fight Night card. The two did not meet and UFC security is aware of the threat.
“What I will say is that as long as we fight again, there will be no problems,” said McGregor. “That’s it. If he continues to run, I’m not sure. We’ll see what happens.”
Nurmagomedov remains UFC lightweight champion, but McGregor doesn’t think it will last much longer.
“I would defend the case, if that man continues to dodge it and dodge the commitment to compete again, the title must be withdrawn and [Poirier and I] should be engaging in a title fight, “said McGregor.” But I am sure it will happen after this fight. I am interested in hearing the excuses or what will be said after the fight. But I foresee a title strip. “