"It Is Impossible To Respect Conor McGregor As A Person" - UFC Star Unloads Savage Rant
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Khamzat Chimaev has claimed it is "impossible to respect" Connor McGregor as a person due to the Irishman's antics away from the Octagon.
One of UFC's brightest up-and-coming stars did not dismiss what McGregor has achieved within the sport, but feels his controversial personality has tarnished his legacy.
McGregor has recently been accused of punching a DJ in Rome, in what is the latest in a series of damning incidents involving the 33-year-old. Among the most famous of these was the post-fight brawl with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakr Nurmagomedov.
"Yes, he achieved everything in the UFC - he was a champion in two weight classes. This I respect with him. But it is impossible to respect him as a person," he told Zuba TV in quotes published by The Independent.
While McGregor's career in UFC appears to be dwindling, Chimaev's appears to be heading in the opposite direction after winning his first three fights.
After contracting Covid, he is set to compete at UFC 267 on Saturday with a match-up against Li Jingliang in Abu Dhabi.
The Russian-born Swedish fighter is hoping to reaffirm his status as one of the most fearsome welterweights.
"I don't think these guys want to fight with me after this fight. They're gonna start to be scared again, complain 'he didn't fight some of these good guys, blah blah blah,' things like that. We will see what happens after this fight."
There are big hopes pinned on the 27-year-old, who overcame John Phillips on his UFC debut and then obliterated Rhys McKee just 10 days later.
BT Sport will broadcast the action from Fight Island in the UK, with the preliminary card getting underway at 5pm before the main card starts at 7pm.
Chimaev will compete on the main card, and this culminates with Jan Blachowicz making his second light heavyweight title defence against Glover Teixeira.
Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jan Blachowicz, Conor Mcgregor, Abu Dhabi, Khamzat Chimaev, UFC
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