Khabib Nurmagomedov has used Conor McGregor’s own words against him.
Since falling to a submission defeat to Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC 229 earlier this month, the majority of McGregor’s social media posts have been in relation to his new whiskey but on Tuesday, ‘The Notorious’ issued a lengthy statement on the bout.
McGregor admitted to the mistakes he made against the undefeated Russian but insisted that, from a fight perspective, he enjoyed more success in the early stages than he’s been given credit for and while his preferred next fight is an immediate rematch against Nurmagomedov, he is happy to get back in line and earn the shot.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpQwHF4g3re/?hl=en&taken-by=thenotoriousmma
McGregor’s Instagram post was lengthy but Nurmagomedov’s response to the breakdown was anything but.
The UFC lightweight champion needed just three words to dismiss the Irishman’s claims as he responded to the UFC’s re-posting of McGregor’s comments with a reference to what ‘The Notorious’ said at the end of the third round.
McGregor could be heard telling Nurmagomedov that “it’s only business” following the only round that the Dubliner won and that’s exactly what Nurmagomedov had to say in response to McGregor’s post.
Below is McGregor’s statement in full:
‘Thoughts on my last fight.
‘Round 1. I believe from a sport standpoint, round 1 was his. Top position against the fence. Zero position advancement or damage inflicted. But top position. From a fight standpoint the first round is mine. Actual shots landed and a willingness to engage. Straight left early. Knee to the head on the low shot. Elbows in any and all tie up scenarios. Opponent just holding the legs against the fence for almost the entire round.
‘Round 2 he is running away around the cage before being blessed with a right hand that changed the course of the round, and the fight. It was a nice shot. After the shot I bounced back up to engage instantly, but again he dipped under to disengage. That is the sport and it was a smart move that led to a dominant round, so no issue. Well played.
‘If I stay switched on and give his stand up even a little more respect, that right hand never gets close and we are talking completely different now. I gave his upright fighting no respect in preparation. No specific stand up spars whatsoever. Attacking grapplers/wrestlers only. That won’t happen again.
‘I also gave my attacking grappling no respect. Too defence-minded. Lessons. Listen to nobody but yourself on your skill set. You are the master of your own universe. I am the master of this. I must take my own advice.
‘Round 3. After the worst round of my fighting career, I come back and win this round. Again walking forward, walking him down, and willing to engage.
‘Round 4. My recovery was not where it could have been here. That is my fault.
‘Although winning the early exchanges in 4, he dips under again and I end up in a bad position with over 3 on the clock. I work to regain position and end up upright, with my back to the fence. A stable position. Here however, I made a critical error of abandoning my over hook at this crucial time, exposing the back, and I end up beaten fair and square.
‘What can I say? It was a great fight and it was my pleasure. I will be back with my confidence high. Fully prepared.
‘If it is not the rematch right away, no problem. I will face the next in line. It’s all me always, anyway. See you soon my fighting fans I love you all.’
