Are Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor actually friends?
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor have been firing verbal shots at each other since their showdown at UFC 229 - but are the MMA stars actually friends?
Conor McGregor: Khabib says feud will 'NEVER be finished'
Khabib Nurmagomedov competes at UFC 242 against Dustin Poirier but speculation of a rematch with Conor McGregor won’t go away.
McGregor submitted to Nurmagomedov in the fourth round of their main event showdown at UFC 229 in Las Vegas last October.
It was an impressive victory for the Russian but his success was spoiled after instigating a post-fight brawl.
The 30-year-old had just retained his lightweight title before hopping the Octagon fence and attacking Dillon Danis, McGregor’s training partner.
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Then at least two members of Nurmagomedov’s entourage entered the cage to launch an attack on the Irishman.
UFC president Dana White condemned the violent scenes that unfolded.
“I’ve been working for a long time on this sport and on the biggest show ever you don’t want something like this to happen,” White said in the aftermath.
Despite the ongoing feud between the pair, Twitter evidence indicates, at one stage at least, that Nurmagomedov and McGregor were on good terms.
Are Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov actually friends?
Messages and pictures from five years ago emerged prior to UFC 229 showing McGregor and Khabib in a different light to the one we’re seeing now.
The Russian tweeted the ‘Notorious’ fighter in September 2014 hoping to meet up with him in Las Vegas ahead of UFC 178.
Nurmagomedov wrote: “Hey Conor, I’m in Vegas when you come let me know, I want you gave me this shirt.” (sic)
The Irishman replied: “Let’s do it brother! I fly out to Vegas tomorrow!! Hit me up and we can train.”
Nurmagomedov later shared a picture on Twitter with the caption: “With CONOR McGREGOR after his unbelievable victory at UFC 178.”
McGregor duly replied, saying: “I love it champ!! The Russian Bear!!"
Whether the pair are truly on good terms behind the scenes remains unknown, with many fans believing the rivalry was all for show.
The apparent feud between the fighters stemmed from McGregor’s attack on Khabib’s team bus in April 2018.
But UFC chief White dismissed reports that the scenes were staged for the cameras.
Speaking prior to UFC 229, he said: “Anybody who thinks this is staged, it is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
“How did we stage this? How could we possibly have staged this? This is real.”
McGregor has made it clear he wants another crack at his rival but for now the Russian is focused on defending his lightweight title against Poirier.
