The feud between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is an eternal one will a very thin possibility of getting better with time. There are reports that the duo had immense mutual respect for one other and used to visit each other’s bout often. But as their relationship turned sour, they became allergic to each other’s sight.
So, let’s explore how these two UFC Champions ended up in a stressful relationship where hatred is proliferating per second.
Why do Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor have deep-seated animosity?
Khabib Nurmagomedov is a Russian MMA star and the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion while Conor McGregor is an Irish MMA fighter who won UFC Championship in both the featherweight and lightweight division.
The initiation of the long-standing rivalry can be traced back to UFC 205. Khabib signed an agreement to fight against Eddie Alvarez and was spending days preparing for the bout. However, sometime later, through the media, he found out that he had been replaced with Conor McGregor and the Irish fighter would face Alvarez now.
This incident sparked the fuel of anger inside the Russian MMA star and he was spotted having a fiery altercation with McGregor backstage at the weigh-ins.
When asked about his feelings about the move by UFC, Khabib said, “I want to stay humble but I have to talk. I understand how crazy and powerful the UFC PR machine is. At the start of the year, your guy (McGregor) tapped like a chicken [to Nate Diaz], and now he has a title shot”.
Since this first flash of anger, the fighters were spotted several times confronting each other and sharing hateful speeches. And this is how their rivalry became more intense with time.
Having a solid determination to knock down the opponent is vital to win a bout. However, it is important for the fighter not to let the ring rivalry dominate their perception of each other. But when it comes to Khabib and Conor, their togetherness seems a far cry. However, individually, they are oiling their own machine to excel in their respective careers.
