Conor McGregor has once again set the MMA world ablaze by reigniting his legendary feud with UFC icon Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Irish superstar, who recently returned from a brief hiatus from social media, launched a furious attack on his longtime rival over what he described as a blatant cash-grab aimed at fans.
The controversy began when Nurmagomedov, the undefeated Dagestani fighter who retired as one of the sport’s most dominant champions, announced the release of a new NFT collection named Papakhas. The digital collectibles were reportedly inspired by his late father and Dagestan’s rich cultural heritage.
McGregor wasted no time taking aim at the announcement, accusing Nurmagomedov of exploiting his father’s legacy for profit. “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 wrote on X.
He continued his scathing criticism, expressing disbelief at the move: “There is just no way good guys do this. What a shame and a stain on his father’s name.” McGregor did not hold back, emphasizing the severity of the alleged betrayal:
“To scam fans using his father and his countries culture is just so low,” he said.
“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.”
As expected, McGregor’s post sent shockwaves through the MMA community. Fans, media outlets, and fellow fighters quickly jumped back into the intense debate surrounding one of UFC’s most storied rivalries. The McGregor-Nurmagomedov saga, which reached its peak during their infamous UFC 229 clash in 2018, has never truly cooled off, and this latest flare-up proved the animosity remains raw.
Nurmagomedov, known for his stoic demeanor, responded promptly to the Irishman’s accusations. Calling McGregor a liar, he doubled down on the NFT project while defending the cultural significance behind it:
“You absolute liar,“ Nurmagomedov wrote.
“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!”
But McGregor, never one to back down, responded with his trademark fiery rhetoric, refusing to let Nurmagomedov claim the moral high ground:
“Apologise this instant for using your late father’s name to sell these ‘gifts’ that cost your fans so much of their money,” McGregor posted.
“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.”
The exchange quickly escalated into a personal confrontation, touching on family and religion, showing just how deeply the rivalry runs. Khabib then attempted to pivot the argument, inviting McGregor to a rehabilitation center in Dagestan.
“My count is 56 former drug addicts, at my rehabilitation centers in Dagestan, that I treated,” Nurmagomedov wrote.
“Come to Dagestan @TheNotoriousMMA they’ll take care of you here. Mexico didn’t help you, as far as I can see.”
McGregor countered with a sharp retort, questioning Khabib’s presence and credibility:
“And who will I be meeting there because it won’t be you,” McGregor wrote. “You can’t scam me with your lies.
“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.”
This verbal sparring serves as a reminder that the McGregor-Nurmagomedov rivalry is far from over. Their 2018 UFC 229 showdown, in which Khabib defeated McGregor via submission, remains one of the most infamous bouts in MMA history, not only for the fight itself but also for the post-fight chaos that erupted both inside and outside the Octagon.
Despite Nurmagomedov’s retirement, McGregor’s recent comments suggest that old grudges die hard. Fans are now speculating whether this latest exchange could serve as the spark for an unprecedented rematch or at least more high-profile interactions between the two fighters.
The feud between these two MMA superstars demonstrates how personal and intense the sport can be. Even outside the Octagon, the rivalry continues to capture headlines and fan attention. McGregor, known for his trash-talking and larger-than-life persona, clearly has no intention of backing down, while Nurmagomedov, maintaining his calm but firm stance, defends his legacy and family name.
For fight enthusiasts and casual observers alike, this latest spat offers a dramatic reminder of why the UFC remains one of the most watched combat sports in the world. With McGregor hinting at a potential return to the Octagon next year, the renewed war of words could be more than just online drama—it might eventually translate into a high-stakes fight that the world cannot ignore.
Whether or not a rematch ever happens, the animosity between McGregor and Nurmagomedov continues to provide endless talking points, thrilling fight fans, and reinforcing the notion that some rivalries never truly fade. As the sparks fly once again, one thing is certain: the McGregor-Nurmagomedov saga is far from over, and the MMA world is watching every move.
