‘They hate each other’: UFC chief Dana White on the feud between bitter rivals Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov but admits Irishman may NOT wait for $100m rematch
- Conor McGregor has a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov on the table
- However, UFC chief Dana White revealed McGregor might not wait for that fight
- Khabib faces Tony Ferguson in April and may not fight again until September
- White also revealed that the bitter rivals still share a ‘hatred’ for each other
UFC chief Dana White has lifted the lid on the bitter rivalry between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, revealing that the pair still ‘hate each other’.
Irish superstar McGregor, who made a successful return to the octagon by blasting out Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds at the start of the year, has a guaranteed $100million rematch on the table with Nurmagomedov.
Lightweight champion Nurmagomedov comprehensively beat McGregor in their first fight back in October 2018 but it was marred by a fiery build-up of personal attacks and ugly scenes in the aftermath.
Conor McGregor still hates Khabib Nurmagomedov but might not wait around for a rematch
UFC champion Nurmagomedov fights in April and may not be out again until September
The fearsome undefeated Dagestani fighter is preparing to defend his title against Tony Ferguson next at UFC 249 on April 18, and although a fight with McGregor could be in the crosshairs afterwards, White has admitted that the timing will have to be right.
‘I don’t know if Conor wants to wait for him (Nurmagomedov). We’ll see what happens. Conor might not wait,’ White told TMZ Sports.
‘First of all, Conor McGregor does not handpick his opponents. Conor McGregor has fought anybody that we have asked him to fight and who has been available.’
Nurmagomedov may not be able to fight again until September due to Ramadan, which would leave McGregor inactive for nine months.
The Notorious One has already said he intends to stay busy and fight at least three or four times this year, and No 4-ranked lightweight Justin Gaethje has emerged as the frontrunner to be his next opponent.
Nurmagomedov has repeatedly stated that McGregor does not deserve a shot at his 155lb title and White has admitted the friction between the two is still very much present.
McGregor was comprehensively beaten by Nurmagomedov back in October 2018
Dana White said they still ‘hate each other’ but timing may not be right for rematch this year
White added: ‘They hate each other. If you think you’re going to do an interview with Khabib and he’s going to say great things about Conor McGregor, it’s never going to happen.
‘If you interview Conor McGregor, he’s never going to say great things about Khabib. They hate each other.’
Although a rematch between the two rivals would generate considerable interest, Nurmagomedov has recently played down talks of a $100million second fight with McGregor.
He said last month: ‘Why do I need that kind of money. There are so many organisations for example. There’s not only football for the blind, there’s sambo, other sports. Let the UFC give it to them if they don’t know what to do with the money. But giving me $100m to beat up that idiot again? I don’t think that’s rational.’