Dana White Hits Back At Khabib Accusing Conor McGregor Of Ducking Fights

UFC president Dana White has dismissed Khabib Nurmagomedov's "ducking" claim about Conor McGregor.

Nurmagomedov pulled no punches in his assessment of McGregor following his UFC 246 comeback fight, saying he's avoiding tough match-ups.

Image: PA

But White disagrees with the UFC lightweight king while championing the Irishman's attitude regarding opponents.

"First of all, Conor does not hand pick all of his opponents," he told TMZ via LowKickMMA.

"Conor McGregor has fought everybody that we've asked him to fight and whose been available. I mean, guys have pulled out on Conor two or three times. Conor literally went to the gym and said, 'tell me who I'm fighting'.

"They hate each other! If you think you're going to do an interview with Khabib and he's going to say great things about Conor McGregor, it's never going to happen.

"And if you interview Conor McGregor he's never going to say great things about Khabib, they hate each other."

Image: PA

Nurmagomedov reignited his fierce rivalry with McGregor as he poked fun at Donald Cerrone, who McGregor beat on his return.

"'Cowboy' always loses all his main-event fights, always. I don't remember when he win. In the last 10 fights, I think he's lose 7 times -- six or seven times," he explained.

"He's not high-level lightweight or welterweight right now. He's not. Of course, he has a big name but his time is finished.

"Conor [needs to] pick very good opponent. Now he come back and beat 'Cowboy,' who lose last 10 fights seven times, and then they talk about this guy come back.

"No, he has to fight really tough opponents like Justin Gaethje or something like this. He has to come back to lightweight division. He has to cut welterweight, and this is just my opinion.

"I think he [is] just ducking tough match-ups. Not only just Justin Gaethje, he's just, 'Who's gonna be my next fight? I need this fight.'

"Of course, he can because he's big star, but anyway, let's talk about me, let's talk about my next fight."

Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, returns to action on April 18 when he defends his UFC lightweight title against No.1 contender Tony Ferguson at UFC 249.

McGregor, on the other hand, is expected to face the winner of Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson after destroying 'Cowboy' in 40 seconds in January at UFC 246.

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, UFC News, Fight News, UFC, MMA, Dana White

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Darren Till, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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