Conor McGregor trashes Khabib Nurmagomedov, claims he fought rival after ‘doing bad things on the yacht’

Conor McGregor has reignited his long-standing feud with Khabib Nurmagomedov, nearly eight years after their UFC 229 showdown, in which McGregor was submitted in the fourth round. Speaking ahead of his scheduled comeback bout against Max Holloway at UFC 329, McGregor dismissed Nurmagomedov's undefeated 29-0 record and criticized the Russian fighter's legacy.

McGregor claimed he was far from peak condition when they fought, attributing his poor preparation to lifestyle choices and legal troubles. "I was off the yacht. I was doing bad things on the yacht. I was partying heavily, and I was up to my eyeballs in court cases," McGregor told Complex, adding that he hadn't fought in two years and was battling a broken toe entering the bout. He also referenced a Netflix documentary that showed he had fractured his foot just three weeks before the fight.

The UFC lightweight's critique extended to Nurmagomedov's overall resume and fighting style. McGregor questioned the quality of early opposition, noting that many of Nurmagomedov's initial fights came on his father's promotional shows against significantly overmatched foes. He also highlighted that Nurmagomedov never missed weight and never competed above lightweight, while suggesting his striking output was limited compared to elite finishers.

Nurmagomedov retired undefeated in 2020 following his submission victory over Justin Gaethje, after pledging to his mother that he would stop fighting following his father Abdulmanap's death that same year. Since stepping away, the 29-0 fighter has become one of MMA's most respected coaches, overseeing pound-for-pound top contender Islam Makhachev and other rising fighters including his relatives Umar and Usman Nurmagomedov. Despite Nurmagomedov's current success outside the octagon and his stated retirement, McGregor's lingering animosity suggests their rivalry—though one-sided in competition—continues to define portions of both legacies.