Khabib Nurmagomedov Expects a Change in Conor McGregor’s Life
Mixed martial arts legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has expressed his wish that his former rival, Conor McGregor, take a new direction in his life. Nurmagomedov, 36, defeated McGregor in one of the most intense fights in UFC history in 2018. The Dagestani fighter submitted McGregor via rear naked choke and then jumped out of the octagon to continue a fight with the Irishman’s team. Nurmagomedov retired as undefeated champion in 2020. McGregor, for his part, has had a 1-3 record in the UFC and has faced several legal problems, including a civil case for sexual assault in 2024. During a public appearance on Saturday in New York, Nurmagomedov, who is a devout Muslim, stated that he believes it is not too late for McGregor to change his lifestyle.“This is a punishment, [but] the most beautiful part of this is that Allah always gives the opportunity to return. I think he has a chance. He has to change how he is living”, Nurmagomedov said.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
“Why am I talking about this? If he is going to change, he can change many other lives too. That’s why I wish him to change himself. If he is not going to change, it will be a punishment all his life.”
Khabib NurmagomedovThis stance contrasts with the comments Nurmagomedov made about McGregor in the years following their rivalry, during which McGregor attacked Nurmagomedov’s personal life. In 2019, Nurmagomedov said that “it will never end. Even if we see each other somewhere, we will fight, 100 percent. It doesn’t matter if someone goes to jail or something like that.” McGregor hasn’t fought since he suffered a leg fracture during a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. However, the 37-year-old fighter recently rejoined the UFC’s mandatory testing pool, in preparation for a possible return.
