Conor McGregor says the “war” with Khabib Nurmagomedov is not over, but understands the chances of a rematch are diminishing rapidly, while also calling for the lightweight champion to soon be stripped of his belt.
The former two-division champion, who returns to the octagon against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, believes there is significant unfinished business with his old rival.
The two met in a now-infamous clash in October 2018, when Nurmagomedov won by fourth-round submission and then sparked a post-bout brawl. Both fighters were suspended afterwards by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Nurmagomedov retired unbeaten in October immediately following his victory against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi, citing the death in July of his father and long-time coach, Abdulmanap, as reason for walking away.
The UFC has continued to tease a comeback, though, with promotional president Dana White saying last week that Nurmagomedov could return. The Dagestan, 32, has for the majority committed to his decision.
Speaking at Thursday’s pre-event press conference in Abu Dhabi, McGregor said: “It's a tough business. Things have gone on in his personal life. I don't wish him any harm. It was in 2018. A lot of time has passed.
“The world knows this fight is not over. This war is not over. The sport needs it to happen; the people need it to happen. I'm not going to chase it if he doesn't want it. And that's it.
“I'll keep my calm and move on. And that's what I'm doing. I'm back here in the 155-pound division. I'll show the world what's what over time."
Sunday’s headline bout at UFC 257 at Etihad Arena – the finale to the latest Fight Island series in the capital – is viewed as a title eliminator, even if Nurmagomedov remains retired.
The penultimate fight on the card features championship contenders also, with debutant Michael Chandler facing No-6 ranked challenger Dan Hooker.
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Gallery: Poirier and McGregor head-to-head before UFC 257
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"I would make the case, if that man is continuing to dodge this and dodge the commitment of competing again, the title should be stripped and [Poirier and I] should be engaging in a title fight," McGregor said.
"But I'm sure it will happen after this bout. I'm interested to hear the excuses or what will be said after the fight. But I predict a title strip."
McGregor and Nurmagomedov spent a period of the same time this week in the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island hotel, but did not cross paths. Nurmagomedov was cornering his cousin Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Fight Night on Wednesday.
"All of those [incidents] were 2018. It’s now 2021, McGregor said. “What I will say is, as long as we fight again, there'll be no issue. That's it. If he continues to run, I'm not sure. We'll see what happens."
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Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
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