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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Martin Domin

Conor McGregor sends message to Khabib Nurmagomedov in rematch plea

Conor McGregor has told Khabib Nurmagomedov to take a leaf out of his old rival Nate Diaz's book and grant him a rematch.

McGregor was choked out by Diaz in 2016 but moved quickly avenged the defeat five months later after a five-round back-and-forth war.

The Dubliner then suffered his second defeat in the UFC when he was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov two years later, Mirror UK reports.

That loss looked to bring an end to their bitter rivalry - but McGregor remains desperate for a second shot.

Nurmagomedov, who still holds the lightweight title, has previously refused to grant his adversary his wish but left the door open to a sequel last weekend.

Conor McGregor (Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

The Dagestan native claimed he would be willing to return if McGregor - or Dustin Poirier - impresses him in the UFC 257 main event this weekend.

McGregor doubts that will transpire however - and called on Nurmagomedov to follow Diaz's example.

"Nate's one hell of a courageous fighter, he stepped up straight away for the rematch," he told UFC Arabia. "You rematch the head, you rematch the don at all costs, no matter what.

"To be running and hiding is just... and the mental break in the octagon, it shows weakness, it's clear for the world to see.

"The world sees it's unfinished business and if he doesn't want to engage in it that's on him."

McGregor claims he was at his worst for the defeat by Nurmagomedov and insists a rematch would have a very different ending.

"My mental space... the training, there would be no outside interference. There was so much going on, I just wasn't in the right space.

"It was clear for everyone to see. Injuries picked up and the weight was horrendous also, I didn't do it right. I was not committed and I would commit myself [for a rematch].

"I've experienced the best of him, I know his shots, I know his entries on the clinch, I know his tie-ups and he knows I know. It should take place and I hope it does."

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