Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has launched a stinging tirade at Conor McGregor, claiming he is “done” as a fighter.
Nurmagomedov famously clashed with McGregor at UFC 229 in October 2018, when serious bad blood between the pair spilled over into a post-bout brawl involving both camps. The two were later fined heavily and suspended.
Lightweight champion Nurmagomedov, who until now remains undefeated, won the fight by third-round submission.
The Dagestan native was supposed to take on Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 next week, but withdrew after returning to Russia following the coronavirus outbreak. Justin Gaethje has taken his place instead.
Last week, McGregor labelled Nurmagomedov “a chicken” for pulling out, prompting Abdelaziz to tell TMZ Sports: “It’s crazy, because this guy has been telling people to stay home, don’t come outside, he’s donating millions of dollars, which now we know is all fake.
“You’re telling everybody to stay home, now Khabib - the government of Russia says he can’t travel - you’re going to call him a chicken?”
McGregor, who returned to the octagon in January following a 15-month hiatus, claims UFC president Dana White has promised him a rematch with Nurmagomedov.
However, Abdelaziz said of the controversial Irishman: “He’s not No 1, he’s not No 2, he’s not No 3. It’s Khabib, Tony, Justin. He’s No 4.
“As a fighter he’s done. He’s not even in the top three. Why even talk? Why don’t you even jump on a plane and come fight Tony Ferguson?
“I bet he understands that Tony Ferguson would beat [him] too. All those three guys would: Justin, Tony and Khabib.”
