It looks like Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team is playing mind games with Conor McGregor.
It’s no secret that the bout most mixed martial arts fans are looking forward to is one between Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight title holder Nurmagomedov and McGregor. Nurmagomedov captured 155-pound gold when he defeated Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision back in April. McGregor was stripped of his title due to inactivity.
McGregor hasn’t competed in an MMA bout since Nov. 2016. It was at that time when he defeated Eddie Alvarez via second-round TKO to become the new UFC lightweight champion. The “Notorious” one decided to try his hand in boxing to take on Floyd Mayweather. McGregor lost via 10th round TKO, but he earned a massive payday.
There is some bad blood brewing between McGregor and “The Eagle.” During UFC 223 fight week, Nurmagomedov and his team surrounded Artem Lobov in a hotel lobby. While no strikes were thrown, it appeared Nurmagomedov strong-armed Lobov. McGregor and his entourage flew to New York City from Dublin and attacked a fighter bus holding red corner fighters. McGregor threw a dolly at the bus, shattering a window and cutting open Michael Chiesa in the process. Chiesa filed a police report and McGregor was arrested.
McGregor is negotiating a plea deal to put his legal troubles behind him. The former two-division champion was scheduled to meet with UFC president Dana White yesterday (June 18). Many believe the meeting involves discussing a potential showdown with Nurmagomedov.
Ali Abdelaziz, “The Eagle’s” manager, took to Twitter to claim that his fighter doesn’t view McGregor as a worthy contender:
Let’s make this clear the guy is 2-2 in his last 4 fights. What do you have to gain but money? BIG DRAMA SHOW Khabib doesn’t think he deserves it https://t.co/NmILtcjrsd
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) June 18, 2018
Nurmagomedov’s title victory improved his professional MMA record to a stellar 26-0. He’s beaten the likes of Edson Barboza, Rafael dos Anjos, and Michael Johnson along the way. Many believe Nurmagomedov would’ve captured gold long ago if it weren’t for injuries.
Do you think Team Khabib is just playing mind games with Conor McGregor?
