The rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is one of the most intense and talked-about in MMA history. What began with verbal exchanges escalated into one of the most anticipated and dramatic events in the UFC, culminating in the infamous UFC 229 bout.

Early Encounters and Tension Building

The seeds of this rivalry were planted long before the UFC 229 showdown. In December 2015, shortly after Conor McGregor won the featherweight title, he set his sights on the lightweight division.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was recovering from an injury, offered some advice: “I think Conor has to stay in the featherweight division because if he moves to lightweight, then people are going to say that he didn’t do everything in the featherweight division”.

As McGregor continued to dominate his opponents and gain attention, Khabib’s path crossed with his in August 2016. After his successful comeback against Darrell Horcher, Khabib made his case for a title shot, telling McGregor to “get in line”. The UFC, however, used Khabib’s name as leverage to pressure then-champion Eddie Alvarez into accepting a fight against McGregor, further straining tensions between Khabib and the organization.

The Lead-Up to UFC 229

Their paths eventually converged at UFC 205 in November 2016. Khabib, who was also on the card, clashed verbally with McGregor.

Khabib’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, later recalled: “Conor was beefing with Woodley, and after that, we walked by, and Conor starts saying, ‘What! What!’ and Khabib ran straight to him and said, ‘I’ll smash your face, you chicken.’”.

By April 2018, the rivalry had become a “gang war” of sorts. At UFC 223, Khabib confronted McGregor’s training partner Artem Lobov in a hotel, which prompted McGregor to fly to New York and attack a bus carrying Khabib and other fighters, leading to his arrest.

The Fight and Aftermath

The actual fight took place on October 6, 2018, at UFC 229. Khabib dominated McGregor with his grappling and ground control, ultimately submitting him in the fourth round. But the drama did not end there. Immediately after his victory, Khabib jumped over the cage to confront McGregor’s team, triggering a chaotic brawl that would become one of the most controversial moments in UFC history.

Reflecting on his actions, Khabib said: “For me, it wasn’t just business; it was very personal. I told Dana [White]: ‘Today, you cannot protect him’”.

Continuing Tensions and Possible Rematch

In the aftermath, McGregor began campaigning for a rematch, and UFC President Dana White did not rule out the possibility, understanding the lucrative potential of another bout.

The tension between the fighters remained high, with Khabib stating, “What happened in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” while McGregor continued to take shots at Khabib and his family on social media.

Legacy and Conclusion

Despite the heated rivalry, Khabib chose to retire undefeated, having demonstrated his dominance in the lightweight division. He reflected on his career:

“I have sacrificed my whole life for this sport, and I wanted to show that it doesn’t matter where you come from; if you have a dream, you have to follow it.” His journey from a small village in Dagestan to becoming the UFC champion exemplifies dedication, hard work, and a strong moral compass.

The war between “The Eagle” and “The Notorious” may not be officially over, but Khabib’s legacy in MMA is firmly cemented as one of the greatest fighters of all time.

References: MMAnytt.se

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