Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor staredown before the UFC 229 main event (Zuffa LLC)

In the chaotic theater of MMA, no drama has been as volatile, and explosive, as the saga of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor.

It’s a story that transcends the octagon, two titans clashing in a rivalry as fiercely human as it is sportive. This isn’t a mere competition. It’s a whirlwind of personal beliefs, national pride, and raw ambition.

From an Irish hotshot and a Dagestani bear wrestler, we saw an eruption, leaving the world to watch, breathless. Strap in, as we revisit this rivalry, unraveling the story thread by thread, punch by punch, in the eye of the tempest itself.

The Beginnings

Khabib Nurmagomedov, an undefeated Dagestani phenomenon, and Conor McGregor, an Irish sensation with a silver tongue and devastating left hand – they ascended the ranks almost in tandem, their orbits destined to intersect.

Khabib, molded by the harsh winters of Dagestan and the rigors of sambo, developed a grappling prowess that made him an imposing specter in the UFC lightweight division.

McGregor, on the other hand, came from Dublin’s working-class suburb of Crumlin, his striking finesse and charisma propelling him into an astronomical rise.

Their paths first crossed in 2014 when the two fighters posed for a picture together, following the Irishman’s victory against Dustin Poirier, marking a friendly start to a relationship that would eventually turn into a fierce rivalry.

Rivalry Rewind: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor 1
Khabib Nurmagomedov (left) poses for a photo with Conor McGregor following McGregor’s first-round knockout victory against Dustin Poirier at UFC 178 in September 2014.

Nurmagomedov and McGregor were essentially the Yin and Yang of MMA, McGregor’s brash verbosity against Khabib’s silent dominance. But there was no animosity at this moment — not yet, anyway.

The Build-Up


The build-up to the McGregor vs. Khabib showdown unfolded like an epic tale. It was a volatile cocktail of fiery exchanges, combustible egos, and simmering animosity that seized the world’s attention.

It began subtly, an occasional barb, a dismissive comment, McGregor’s Irish brogue going toe-to-toe with Khabib’s stoic Russian calm. Social media was the battlefield, 280 characters used as ammunition. Their jibes became the world’s entertainment, the tension winding tighter with every Tweet and Instagram post.

The press conferences were arenas for their verbal jousts. McGregor, theatrical, a wordsmith with a wit as sharp as his left hook. Khabib, stoic, choosing silence over superfluity. They were like ice and fire, the world eagerly awaiting the eruption.

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McGregor’s fiery rhetoric against Khabib’s icy calm: a contrast that defined their rivalry (Zuffa LLC)

Then came the infamous UFC 223 incident, when the rivalry crossed the line from verbal to physical.

Infuriated by an altercation between Khabib and his teammate Artem Lobov, McGregor launched an attack on Khabib’s bus, a display of raw, uncontrolled rage. Shards of shattered glass flew like sparks from a firestorm, marking a dark, turning point in their feud. It was no longer just about the championship; it had become personal.

The UFC 223 incident: the moment when the McGregor vs. Khabib rivalry took a dark turn

The world watched, eyes wide, breaths held, as the stage was set for the most eagerly anticipated clash in MMA history.

The build-up was a wild ride, but it was only the beginning. As the two fighters prepared to step into the Octagon, the real battle was just about to unfold.

The Fight

UFC 229, the world’s eyes were focused on the Octagon where two men stood on the precipice of battle. McGregor, the fiery Irish comet, and Khabib, the relentless Dagestani Eagle.

The air was thick with tension, the crowd’s energy crackling like a live wire. They circled each other, a storm of fury and focus.

Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov finally begins at UFC 229
Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov finally meet inside the UFC’s Octagon at UFC 229 (Zuffa LLC)

McGregor came out strong, his southpaw stance aggressive, his left hand cocked like a pistol. But Khabib was undeterred, his grappling prowess a looming threat. McGregor weathered Khabib’s storm in round one, but the relentless Dagestani was just getting started.

Round two was Khabib’s kingdom. A right hand felled McGregor, Khabib’s fists hammering down like an avalanche. McGregor weathered the onslaught yet again, but the tide was turning.

McGregor rallied in the third, his strikes sharp, his movement crisp. Yet, it was not enough to deter Khabib, who continued to press, his will unbroken.

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The pivotal moment – McGregor submits to Khabib’s relentless pressure (Zuffa lLC)

The fourth round saw Khabib’s grappling skills take center stage. He took McGregor down, securing a neck crank. McGregor tapped, the crowd exploded, and Khabib emerged victorious.

The Post-Fight Chaos

In the aftermath of Khabib’s victory over McGregor, the echoes of the final bell had barely faded when an unexpected brawl exploded. As Khabib’s hand was raised, the spectacle of sportsmanship expected after a well-fought battle was abruptly shattered.

Fueled by lingering resentment, Khabib vaulted over the cage and into McGregor’s team, igniting a riot. Meanwhile, members of Khabib’s team invaded the Octagon, attacking McGregor. The night, already charged with fierce rivalry, erupted into chaos, a wild melee that left the audience and the wider sports world stunned.

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The unexpected post-fight chaos: McGregor being attacked by Nurmagomedov’s teammates (Zuffa LLC)

The consequences were swift. Both fighters faced suspensions, hefty fines, and stern warnings from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The MMA community recoiled, their sport’s reputation tarnished by the brawl.

The reactions from the MMA community were as diverse as they were intense. Some pointed to McGregor’s relentless provocations as the spark that ignited the brawl, while others condemned Khabib’s post-fight actions as a betrayal of the sport’s code of conduct.

In the wider sports world, the incident was seen as a stark reminder of the potential volatility of combat sports, highlighting the intense emotions and personal rivalries that sometimes spill over into conflict.

Despite the drama, one fact remained: Khabib had won the McGregor vs. Khabib fight. But the victory was somewhat overshadowed by the chaos that followed, the wild brawl etching a black mark onto an otherwise gripping spectacle. The MMA world was left to ponder the consequences and to hope for a more disciplined future.

The Aftermath

The dust finally settled on the chaos of UFC 229, leaving in its wake suspensions, fines, and a rivalry that had forever changed the face of MMA. McGregor, the fiery challenger, and Khabib, the triumphant champion, faced the consequences of a feud that had spiraled out of control.

McGregor faced a six-month suspension and a $50,000 fine, while Khabib received a nine-month ban and a hefty $500,000 fine. Both fighters’ careers took hits. McGregor’s invincible aura was shattered, while Khabib’s victory was marred by the post-fight melee.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov returns to the cage following the UFC 229 post-fight brawl (Zuffa LLC)

Then, in a move that stunned the MMA world, Khabib announced his retirement in 2020, ending any prospect of a rematch, much to McGregor’s chagrin. The Dagestani Eagle had flown, leaving McGregor in the shadow of a rivalry that had come to an abrupt end.

Despite Khabib’s departure, McGregor continued to clamor for a rematch, his thirst for redemption undeterred. Yet, without Khabib, the prospect of Khabib vs. McGregor 2 seemed as distant as a mirage, leaving fans with a sense of unfulfilled anticipation.

The aftermath of the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor feud was a potent cocktail of regret and unresolved tension. The world of MMA moved on, but the echoes of their clash reverberated, a stark reminder of a rivalry that had shaken the world and left a lasting impact on the sport.

The Legacy

The McGregor-Khabib rivalry, in all its bitter intensity, redefined the MMA landscape. The UFC, a combat spectacle built on power and bravado, found its narrative arc in this feud, a saga that captured the imagination of fans and turned the sport into a mainstream sensation.

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The UFC 229 poster, symbol of a rivalry that redefined MMA.

Their rivalry not only changed the face of MMA but also shaped their individual legacies.

McGregor, the flamboyant warrior from Ireland, was already a transcendent figure, but his clash with Khabib solidified his reputation as a fighter unafraid to back down.

Khabib, with his icy demeanor and relentless grappling, left the sport as an unbeaten champion, his legacy cemented by his victory over McGregor.

Yet the legacy of their rivalry is twofold. On one hand, it’s a testament to the fierce competition that defines MMA. On the other, it’s a cautionary tale about the thin line between rivalry and chaos, between selling a fight and sparking a riot.

The verbal exchanges that defined a rivalry

In the wake of the feud, there were no clear signs of reconciliation between McGregor and Khabib. The bitterness of their rivalry, it seemed, had left an indelible mark. Yet, the sport moved on.

New rivalries were born, new champions crowned, but none could quite capture the volatile magic of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor. Theirs was a saga that, for better or worse, will forever be etched in the annals of MMA history.

The Business Side

As much as the Khabib vs. McGregor rivalry was a sporting event, it was also a spectacle of business. The feud escalated the financial stakes, sending ripples across the UFC and beyond.

UFC 229, headlined by McGregor and Khabib, shattered all previous pay-per-view records for the UFC, amassing a whopping 2.4 million buys.

As for McGregor’s personal earnings, the Irishman pocketed an impressive $3 million purse for the fight, not including his share from the pay-per-view sales. When you factor in the pay-per-view points, merchandise, and sponsorship deals, his total earnings for the night likely soared north of $50 million.

McGregor’s financial haul from the fight cemented his status as one of the highest-earning fighters in the history of MMA.

Conor McGregor backstage before a UFC fight (Zuffa LLC)
Conor McGregor backstage before a UFC fight (Zuffa LLC)

Yet, it’s worth noting that the financial windfall came with a cost.

The bus attack by McGregor, the post-fight brawl, and the suspension of both fighters reflected poorly on the UFC brand. The saga was a testament to the adage that any publicity is good publicity, but it also served as a reminder that the line between good business and maintaining the integrity of the sport can sometimes blur in the name of profit.

Final Thoughts

The tale of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor isn’t just a fight story; it’s an epic saga. It reflects the raw beauty and ugly fractures of MMA – the passion, the fury, the triumphs, and the wounds. The rivalry between Khabib and McGregor is etched deeply into the annals of MMA, a testament to the sport’s capacity for riveting drama.

For many years following, McGregor would continue to flirt with the idea of a rematch, a clear indication that the embers of their rivalry still smolder.

However, for now, they each move forward on separate paths – Khabib, in his tranquil retirement, and McGregor, ever the phoenix, rising repeatedly from the ashes of defeat, eyeing another chance to conquer.

One thing is certain: their explosive saga will reverberate in the octagon and beyond for years to come.

FAQ’s: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor Rivalry

Who is Khabib Nurmagomedov?

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a retired professional MMA fighter from Russia. He is widely regarded as one of the best fighters in the history of the UFC, with a perfect record of 29 wins and no losses.

Who is Conor McGregor?

Conor McGregor is a professional MMA fighter from Ireland. Known for his charisma and flamboyance, McGregor is one of the biggest stars in the sport. He has held the UFC featherweight and lightweight titles.

What started the rivalry between Khabib and McGregor?

The rivalry started with McGregor’s taunting comments toward Khabib, which escalated into a series of verbal exchanges and confrontations leading up to their fight at UFC 229.

When did the Khabib vs. McGregor fight take place?

The much-anticipated fight took place at UFC 229 on October 6, 2018.

Who won the Khabib vs. McGregor fight?

Khabib Nurmagomedov won the fight via submission in the fourth round, retaining his UFC lightweight title.

What happened after the Khabib vs. McGregor fight?

After the fight, a post-match brawl broke out involving both fighters and their teams, which resulted in fines and suspensions.

Has there been a rematch between Khabib and McGregor?

No, there has not been a rematch. Despite McGregor’s attempts to secure a rematch, Khabib announced his retirement in 2020.

How did the rivalry affect the UFC?

The Khabib vs. McGregor rivalry resulted in one of the highest-grossing UFC events ever, with over 2.4 million pay-per-view buys. It also brought a lot of attention, both positive and negative, to the sport.

How much did Conor McGregor earn from the fight?

While the exact amount is undisclosed, McGregor reportedly made over $50 million from the fight, which includes his share from pay-per-view sales, his fight purse, and other endorsements.

Is there a chance for a Khabib vs. McGregor 2?

While McGregor has expressed interest in a rematch, Khabib has remained firm on his retirement, making a rematch unlikely as of now.

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