Conor McGregor has reignited one of the UFC’s most notorious rivalries, launching a blistering attack on Khabib Nurmagomedov for what he describes as “scamming” fans through a controversial NFT launch. The Irish star, who recently returned from a social media hiatus, wasted no time in calling out his longtime nemesis after Nurmagomedov announced the sale of a new NFT collection, Papakhas, which honors his late father.
“There is just no way good guy Khabib used his late fathers name, as well as Dagestan’s culture, to scam his fans and fire sell a bunch of digital NFTs online and then delete all of the content after they were sold, leaving his fans robbed of their money,” McGregor posted on X.
The former two-division champion continued to express his outrage over what he called a betrayal of both family and culture. “There is just no way good guys do this. What a shame and a stain on his father’s name.”
McGregor’s condemnation didn’t stop there. He elaborated on the perceived disrespect to Khabib’s father and the misuse of cultural heritage: “To scam fans using his father and his countries culture is just so low,” he wrote.
He drew a stark contrast to fellow UFC fighter Islam Mack, praising him for honoring his father with a symbolic gesture. “Father’s plan has now become Father’s scam. Very sad. On the opposite side of this, it was great to see Islam Mack honor his own father by putting the double world titles on his shoulders and saying ‘there is not many fathers of double world champions!’ Truth.”
The comments quickly went viral, reigniting the fierce fan debates that have long surrounded the pair. Social media feeds were flooded with reactions, memes, and speculation about the next chapter in this ongoing feud.
TOPSHOT - LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 06: Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia (R) and Conor McGregor of Ireland (L) start their UFC lightweight championship bout during the UFC 229 event inside T-Mobile Arena on October 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Source: AFP/Getty Images
Nurmagomedov responded swiftly, denying any wrongdoing and defending the NFT project as a tribute rather than a cash grab. “You absolute liar,“ Nurmagomedov said. “You will always try to darken my name, after you got destroyed that night, but you will never achieve that! Yes, good guys don’t do that.
“They don’t create exclusive digital gifts with real time value, that you can share with your friends and family. Gifts in the shape of Papakha - hat that symbolize traditions and culture of Dagestan people.
“Traditions and culture that slowly walking over this world, whether you like it or not!”
McGregor, predictably, refused to allow Nurmagomedov the final word. In a pointed reply, he criticized both the sales model and the use of Khabib’s father’s name. “Apologise this instant for using your late father’s name to sell these “gifts” that cost your fans so much of their money,” he wrote.
“Also to sell something means it is not a gift you low iq troglodyte! That is the direct opposite of what “gift” means. Duh duh duh dumbass hahaha Scamming on your dead daddy’s name. Shame.”
Khabib then shifted tactics, inviting McGregor to experience his rehabilitation centers in Dagestan. “My count is 56 former drug addicts, at my rehabilitation centers in Dagestan, that I treated,” he posted. “Come to Dagestan @TheNotoriousMMA they’ll take care of you here. Mexico didn’t help you, as far as I can see.”
McGregor fired back, again targeting personal and religious aspects, making it clear he had no intention of backing down. “And who will I be meeting there because it won’t be you,” McGregor wrote. “You can’t scam me with your lies.”
In another post, McGregor added: “You tax dodging scammer on the run. Your poor family, I pray. I pray for your constant lies. I pray, I pray, I pray. While you lie. You should just be honest because Allah knows all.”
The rivalry between the Irishman and the Dagestani fighter remains one of the UFC’s most combustible, with their 2018 bout at UFC 229 still remembered as much for the post-fight melee as for Khabib’s submission victory. Despite years passing and both men being in different phases of their careers, the animosity between them shows little sign of cooling.
Even with Khabib retired and adamant that he is done with professional fighting, the war of words continues to draw attention. McGregor’s hinted return to the Octagon next year has fueled speculation that a rematch—or at least another public showdown—could once again capture global attention.
What is clear is that the bad blood runs deep, and both men are more than willing to stoke the flames of a feud that UFC fans around the world cannot look away from. Social media platforms, MMA forums, and even mainstream sports outlets are abuzz with commentary on this renewed chapter, proving that the McGregor-Nurmagomedov rivalry remains one of the most enthralling storylines in combat sports history.
Whether it escalates into another fight or remains a battle of words, fans know one thing: when these two collide, the drama is guaranteed, and the legacy of UFC 229 will continue to cast a long shadow over their careers.
