Sports Buzz

Tag: Khabib Nurmagomedov – English

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov 'abandoned' teammate after Conor McGregor collaboration

    Khabib Nurmagomedov 'abandoned' teammate after Conor McGregor collaboration

    An Ultimate Fighting Championship referee reveals how Khabib Nurmagomedov cut off one of his friends and allies because he went on a podcast with Conor McGregor, as the pair continued their bitter feud with the Irishman insulting the Dagestani’s faith and family.

    Perhaps the most infamous fight in UFC history took place in October 2018 when Khabib forced his rival to submit to claim the undisputed lightweight title, before launching over the fence to attack the 36-year-old’s team.

    Connor McGregor mural now being erased from gyms.

    But the build up to the bout was just as intense.

    Aggressive insults were hurtled at each other for months, including both questioning the morality of their rival. It all culminated in McGregor attacking Khabib’s bus at UFC 229, smashing windows whilst the Russian was inside with his colleagues.

    Despite winning, the years have not made The Eagle any fonder to his counterpart and this even extends to those willing to associate with The Notorious as John McCarthy recalled him blanking Josh Thompson for appearing on the podcast.

    “Josh was one of his main training partners,” McCarthy told the Weighing In podcast. “In fact, Josh was one of the guys that cornered him in his early UFC fights.

    “Khabib was so mad at Josh for doing a podcast where we had Conor McGregor on, he didn’t talk to him. He said ‘That’s it. I’m not talking to you anymore.’

    “And for a while, he didn’t talk to him. I had Josh standing here and I had Khabib standing there, and he says ‘Brother we can’t talk.’ And I go, ‘Are you kidding?’

    “And he’s like ‘Yeah we can’t talk right now.’ And then finally they got back, but he takes it serious [McGregor]. He takes it serious as hell.

    “You can’t put him down for that. It’s the way he lives his life, he’s true to himself, he’s true to his people, he’s true to everybody that he helps train. It’s all good.”

    What is the latest in the McGregor-Khabib feud?

    Since that night in October, 2018, Khabib has retired and transitioned to coaching whilst McGregor‘s form as fallen off a cliff. Yet despite neither of them being close to their primes anymore, they are still bitter towards each other.

    The latest example of that came on January 3 when the 36-year-old Dagestani accused Ireland of lacking a presence in MMA, specifically naming McGregor in his comments and insisting the British Isles nation has “not even half” the level of the Russian fighters.

    “Ireland don’t have fighters, brother,” Khabib told the Professional Fighters League. “Let’s be honest. How many fighters do you know from Ireland? Paul Hughes and Conor. And who else?

    “There is no fighter brother. You come to Dagestan, you can understand. So many organizations don’t even sign Dagestan fighters because they worry that everyone can become a champion. Let’s be honest. Dagestan level of MMA is here (up high). But Ireland level, not even half of Dagestan level.”



    Source link

  • McGregor's coach proposes bold rule changes to address UFC Controversy

    McGregor's coach proposes bold rule changes to address UFC Controversy

    The UFC is home to some of the most skilled and talented fighters in the world, but even the best are not immune to controversy. Over the years, many UFC athletes have pushed the limits of the sport’s rules, leading to ongoing debates among fans about fairness. However, according to Conor McGregor’s longtime coach, John Kavanagh, the solution to this problem is simple: harsher penalties for any fighter who breaks the rules, or, in an even bolder suggestion, the removal of certain rules altogether.

    Kavanagh, a seasoned MMA coach, has witnessed countless instances where fighters took advantage of gray areas in the rules, often escaping without significant punishment. From illegal strikes to fence-grabbing, these moments have frustrated fans and called into question the integrity of the sport. Kavanagh believes it’s time for UFC officials to take a stronger stance on rule-breaking, starting with immediate point deductions, without warnings or second chances.

    A call for stricter enforcement

    In a recent social media post, Kavanagh expressed his frustration with the current state of rule enforcement in the UFC, stating that fighters rarely face consequences for clear violations. “How often do you see a point deduction for a clear rule break like fence or glove grab? 1 in every 1000 times? If that?” Kavanagh tweeted. His message is clear: if the UFC wants to maintain fairness and discipline, it must either enforce its rules consistently or eliminate them.

    According to Kavanagh, the current system of warnings and minimal repercussions doesn’t discourage fighters from pushing boundaries. However, he believes that if fighters faced immediate point deductions for rule-breaking, their behavior would change dramatically. “Fighters don’t care about a scolding, but point deductions will change behavior,” Kavanagh explained. In his view, the fear of losing points-and ultimately losing a fight-would force fighters to play by the rules.

    The McGregor-Khabib controversy revisited

    UFC releases explosive video of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor

    Kavanagh’s comments are especially relevant considering his star pupil, Conor McGregor, has been at the center of similar controversies. During McGregor’s highly publicized bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov, fans and commentators noticed several instances where McGregor appeared to break the rules, including grabbing the fence and delivering illegal strikes. Despite these violations, McGregor faced no official punishment, leaving many to question the consistency of rule enforcement in high-profile fights.

    Even UFC commentator Joe Rogan pointed out McGregor’s illegal moves during the fight, further fueling the debate. In response, McGregor, known for his fiery personality, took to social media to defend his actions in a since-deleted post. “Shut up Joe, you little fool. What are you talking about?” McGregor wrote, adding his signature bravado to the controversy.

    A new era for UFC?

    Kavanagh’s proposal could mark a significant shift in how the UFC approaches fighter misconduct. By enforcing strict point deductions or reconsidering certain rules altogether, the UFC could create a fairer, more disciplined environment for athletes. Whether or not the UFC will adopt these changes remains to be seen, but Kavanagh’s bold suggestions are already sparking conversations within the MMA community.



    Source link