'I embarrassed Conor McGregor - but things could be about to change for him'
McGregor, 37, once ruled mixed martial arts as a two-weight UFC champion. Four years have passed since his last octagon appearance, enduring a fractured leg during his loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
During his time away from mixed martial arts, McGregor's athletic achievements have been overtaken by courtroom disputes. The Dublin fighter recently failed in his appeal against a civil court decision that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2018. Former UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov previously engaged in a high-profile rivalry with McGregor, yet remains optimistic that his long-standing rival can stage a comeback.
"I don't want to mention his name," Nurmagomedov told the Irish Independent. "This is punishment, this is punishment. And he keeps doing this, keeps doing this, keeps doing this. Everything that happened.
"But the most beautiful part of this [is] Allah always gives for us – it doesn't matter, anybody, everybody – a chance to come back. Always, in this world, a chance to come back.
"This is the most beautiful thing. It doesn't matter how you're bad, Allah is going to give you a chance to always come back. I think he has a chance, and he has to change the way how he's living. Khabib Nurmagomedov has changed his stance on Conor McGregor since their time as opponents in 2018 (Image: Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
"Why am I talking about this? If he's going to change, he can change with him so many lives, too. And that's why I wish him to change himself."
Nurmagomedov's encouraging remarks about McGregor's potential for transformation starkly contrast the fighter's position during their bitter 2018 rivalry. In the lead-up to their championship clash, McGregor threw a dolly at a coach transporting Nurmagomedov and fellow UFC competitors. The Dubliner was subsequently required to complete five days of community service and attend anger management sessions.
When asked about McGregor before their fight, Nurmagomedov stated: "I'm going to change his face. I'm going to smash him. I want to make him humble. I want to show people his weakness. I want to make him give up. I want to embarrass him."
Nurmagomedov delivered on his promise by submitting McGregor and successfully defending his lightweight championship. Nevertheless, the animosity between both camps persisted following the bout, culminating in a post-fight brawl. Khabib Nurmagomedov marked Conor McGregor's return to the UFC after his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather (Image: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Defeating McGregor failed to alter Nurmagomedov's sentiments towards his rival at that time. "I told you I was going to smash your boy. I humbled him," he declared following his victory.
Nurmagomedov's recent remarks signal a dramatic shift in perspective from the UFC legend, who stepped away from competition as the unbeaten lightweight titleholder with a flawless 29-0 record in 2020. It seems the 36-year-old's attitude towards McGregor has mellowed considerably during his absence from the octagon.
McGregor has voiced ambitions of pursuing a political path and revealed his aspiration to become Irish President. However, he remains hopeful of orchestrating a UFC return.
McGregor has recently rejoined the UFC's drug-testing pool and expressed his wish to compete at a potential event hosted at the White House. The 37-year-old was slated to fight Michael Chandler last year, but the bout was called off due to injury.
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