Nurmagomedov's Big Mouth Greeted McGregor's Comeback

JAKARTA - It has been more than a year since two MMA giants Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor fought in the Octagon, with a sensational and controversial victory for the Russian fighter, 'The Eagle'.

The UFC lightweight champion made arch-rival McGregor surrender in the fourth round in a bout that took place in October 2018. The show held in Las Vegas was headlines in all combat sports, from preparations to heated press conferences and the controversy that graced the fight.

Nurmagomedov now admits that, although McGregor prepares to return to the Octagon, he has no interest in fighting him again. This was revealed by the 31-year-old fighter in a recent interview.

"Honestly I don't think he wants that fight. How can that be? I beat him for four rounds. I hit him and choked him and he gave up," said Nurmagomedov. Launching Give Me Sport, Sunday, November 24.

"It's a sign he doesn't want to be there, (he said during the fight: 'let me go, please' and all that stuff. How does he want a rematch?" Continued the Russian fighter.

Meanwhile, 'The Notorious' - McGregor's nickname, has not fought since his defeat to 'The Eagle', but is ready to return to the Octagon on January 18 as announced in Moscow this month.

And Nurmagomedov insists McGregor needs to earn his rights to a rematch against himself given the Irish fighter's last win four years ago.

"It's been three years and now we are in the fourth year. To fight for the title, I alone had to win 10 fights in a row at the UFC. That's not counting the 16 wins I have outside of the UFC. In every fight I get it not with my mouth, but with my actions, "said Nurmagomedov.

"That's the difference between us. He talks a lot, I act a lot. Just talking is one thing, but when it comes to acting he's completely different."

So, for 'The Eagle', there are no announcements regarding a rematch against McGregor. Because in Nurmagomedov's eyes, McGregor is a fool.

"We don't pay attention to idiots," he concluded.