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Nicolas Atkin

Khabib Nurmagomedov was quick to stick the boot in to Conor McGregor after the Irishman’s shock TKO at the hands of Dustin Poirier.
Former two-weight champ McGregor was a heavy favourite with Las Vegas bookies by was dropped by “The Diamond” (27-6, one no contest) and finished at 2:32 of the second round on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
McGregor (22-5) said he will “take my licks” after the disappointment, in a gracious Octagon interview, but his former rival wasn’t ready to forget their bad blood.
“This is what happened, when you change your team, leave the sparring partners who made you a champion and sparring with little kids, far away from reality,” Nurmagomedov tweeted.

"You don't get away with being inactive in this business. ... I'm gutted."

—Conor McGregor after #UFC257 pic.twitter.com/0NlOIAka0z
— ESPN (@espn) January 24, 2021

Nurmagomedov (29-0), who submitted “The Notorious” via fourth-round choke in October 2018, had told UFC president Dana White he was waiting to see if either McGregor or Poirier impressed him on Sunday, before committing to a return to the Octagon.
“The Eagle” announced his retirement last October, after putting No 1-ranked Justin Gaethje (22-3) to sleep.
UFC 257: Chandler TKOs Hooker in first round, calls out Khabib
“I did talk to Khabib,” White said at the post-event press conference.
“And he said to me, ‘Dana, be honest with yourself. I’m so many levels above these guys, I beat these guys’. I don’t know. But it doesn’t sound very positive. We’ll see.”




















View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov)



The 32-year-old Nurmagomedov of Russia later hinted that he would now commit to his decision to retire, seemingly unimpressed by what he saw from McGregor.
“You can like him or hate, but you have to respect him,” he wrote in a post on Instagram, alongside a picture of himself and White.
“This guy build this sport @ufc. Thank you for everything @danawhite I have so much respect for you.”


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC 257: Khabib mocks Conor McGregor after Dustin Poirier loss, hints at staying retired

Dustin Poirier celebrates after his knockout victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 257. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

UFC 257: Conor McGregor blasts Khabib for ‘disrespectful’ comments – ‘come back and let’s go again’

Conor McGregor poses on his private yacht in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Instagram

UFC 257: Conor McGregor must forget Manny Pacquiao if he wants MMA glory days back

Conor McGregor punches Dustin Poirier in their lightweight fight at UFC 257. Photos: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 23: (R-L) Dustin Poirier punches Conor McGregor of Ireland in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 23: (R-L) Michael Chandler punches Dan Hooker of New Zealand in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 23: Dustin Poirier reacts after his knockout victory over Conor McGregor of Ireland in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

UFC 257: Dana White says Khabib comeback ‘doesn’t sound positive’ after Conor McGregor loss

UFC president Dana White speaks with lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov during a press conference for UFC 229. Photo: AFP

UFC 257: Conor McGregor says ‘don’t write me off yet’ after Dustin Poirier defeat – ‘maybe I’ll switch up my game’

Dustin Poirier punches Conor McGregor in their lightweight fight during UFC 257. Photos: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

UFC 257: Dana White says Conor McGregor faces ‘Rocky III’ moment – ‘he gets hungrier or says I’m done’

Dustin Poirier celebrates after his knockout victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 257, Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


Retired UFC lightweight champ goads former rival after shock second-round TKO by Dustin Poirier
UFC president Dana White admits prospect of Nurmagomedov returning ‘doesn’t sound very positive’ now



Retired UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov goads Conor McGregor for ‘sparring with little kids, far away from reality’.


Khabib Nurmagomedov

Conor McGregor

Dustin Poirier