Conor McGregor still has a rematch of Khabib Nurmagomedov in mind, although he acknowledges that the chances of this being greatly reduced.
The former UFC double champion said at a UFC 257 press conference on Thursday that he believes there is a lot of unfinished business between him and Nurmagomedov. But if Nurmagomedov wants to retire, McGregor has said he will have no choice but to move on.
Nurmagomedov’s father and head coach Abdulmanap died last summer of complications from COVID-19. Nurmagomedov, the current UFC lightweight champion, announced his retirement following a title defense against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October. He remained largely in the position that he had retired in interviews since then, although he left a small window open for his return.
“It’s a tough business,” McGregor said. “Things have continued in his personal life. I do not wish him any harm. As I said, it was in 2018. It’s been a long time. People know that this fight is not over. This war is not over. Sport needs to It’s happening, people need it happening, I’m not going to follow him if he doesn’t want to, and that’s it, I’m going to stay calm and keep going I show the world what happens over time. “
Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor by sending in the fourth round to UFC 229 in October 2018. The advance for that fight was ugly, McGregor was arrested for throwing a cart through a bus window in search of Nurmagomedov, who cracked -with McGregor’s teammate, Artem Lobov, days earlier. . After Nurmagomedov’s victory over McGregor, he left the Octagon and ignited a fight with McGregor’s team. Inside the cage, McGregor was attacked by Nurmagomedov’s training partners. There have been several suspensions by the Nevada State Athletics Commission.
McGregor and Nurmagomedov are in the same hotel this week in Abu Dhabi. McGregor fights Dustin Poirier on Saturday in the UFC 257 main event. Nurmagomedov is in town to work on the corner of his cousin Umar, who won the UFC Fight Night card on Wednesday. The two did not meet, and the UFC security is aware of the threat.
“What I’m going to say is that as long as we fight again, there will be no problem,” McGregor said. “All right. If he keeps running, I’m not sure. We’ll see what happens.”
Nurmagomedov remains the UFC lightweight champion, but McGregor doesn’t think it will last much longer.
“I should, if that man continues to avoid this and avoid the commitment to compete again, the title should be removed and [Poirier and I] should engage in a title fight, “McGregor said.” But I’m sure it will happen after this fight. I’m interested in hearing the apology or what will be said after the fight. But I predict a title track. “