UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov dismantled Conor McGregor last October at UFC 229, but his resounding win was marred by the chaotic brawl between the teams’ camps that cost the champion $500,000 in fines and resulted in a nine-month suspension.
Since then, Nurmagomedov and McGregor have engaged in some problematic social media sniping, but neither fighter has returned to the cage. Nurmagomedov reportedly wants to make three title defenses in the next year, and the champion is expected to face Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi at UFC 242 in September.
In an interview with Tony Robbins which was recently released, McGregor called out Nurmagomedov for a rematch, and alleged that Nurmagomedov is “running away” from the next chapter in the rivalry.
Via ESPN:
“Although the match didn’t go my way, the fight went my way. And trust me when I tell you, Tony, this war is not over. If this fight does not happen again, if it does not get reset, it’s on them. They’re running away. I’m here for the fight and here for the rematch.”
