Time has done little to settle the rivalry between former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. In a recent press appearance, Nurmagomedov mocked McGregor while pointing out how dominant his team was across multiple MMA promotions. True to form, McGregor was quick to respond via Twitter, and “The Russian Eagle” made his case for why the Dagestanis had truly taken over.
“Right now we have current UFC and Bellator lightweight champions. This is amazing. I hear a long time ago when one guy was talking about ‘We’re here to take over’ but we’re here to take over.”
Khabib Mocks McGregor: “WE’RE Here To Take Over!”
As of this weekend, Khabib’s cousin Usman Nurmagomedov is the Bellator lightweight champion, making light work of Patricky Pitbull in this weekend’s main event. Likewise, just over a month ago, Khabib’s protege Islam Makhachev claimed the UFC lightweight title over Charles Oliveira. McGregor, by way of response, Tweeted his disdain for Khabib’s case.
“I fight on. Your fathers plan is never complete because you quit and ran, brother. God bless. I’m still here if you wanna go again. But your fear of defeat means you’ve already lost. Run from it all you want. We all lose in the end. Death takes us all. I fear nothing but God.”
Islam Makhachev will make his first title defense against Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski, the reigning UFC featherweight champion, who will attempt to claim Makhachev’s lightweight belt.
Khabib discussed the matchup in the same interview as his “take over” comments. “I told Islam like even before last fight with Charles Oliveira, I told him, ‘Volkanovski is gonna be tougher than Charles Oliveira.’
Like, before the fight because it was like if Charles don’t make weight, it’s going to be Volkanovski who is supposed to fight with him. I think he have good experience. Of course experience – Charles and Volkanovski, they have the same.
They both have good experience. But if you talk about fighting IQ and big heart, I think Volkanovski’s better than him. I think Volkanovski is gonna be tougher opponent for Islam than Charles Oliveira. But, anyways, who cares? We’re gonna finish this guy.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from competition with an unblemished 29-0 record following the death of his father. Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov both trained alongside Khabib under his father, and today Khabib has inherited the mantle of trainer for the next generation of Dagestani demolishers.
Was Dagestan the real takeover all along? Let us know in the comments.
