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Khabib Nurmagomedov Hits Back At Conor McGregor Over Wanting A UFC Rematch

Khabib Nurmagomedov Hits Back At Conor McGregor Over Wanting A UFC Rematch

Khabib Nurmagomedov branded fierce rival Conor McGregor "an idiot" and called him out over his failure to win a UFC fight since 2016.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Khabib Nurmagomedov has slammed Conor McGregor over the idea of a potential follow-up to their blockbuster UFC clash by demanding that he must earn a rematch.

The UFC lightweight champ, 31, defended his title against McGregor at UFC 229 in 2018 and successfully beat him in the fourth round after locking in a submission.

And Khabib, who is scheduled to defend his championship against Tony Ferguson in April or May 2020, has dismissed the idea that the Irish UFC superstar wants a rematch.

The 'Eagle' said during a Q&A with children in Russia: "Honestly, I don't think he wants that fight.

"How is that so? I beat him up for four rounds. I beat him and choked him and he tapped.

"It was a sign he didn't want to be there: 'Let me go, please' and all that. And now he wants the rematch.

"First of all, he has to earn it. We're in the fourth year since his last victory.

PA

PA

"It's been three years and now we're in the fourth. In order to fight for the title, I had to win ten fights in a row in the UFC.

"That's not counting the 16 victories I had outside the UFC.

"In every fight, I earned it not with my mouth, but with my actions.

"That's where we're different -- he talks about it, I just do it."

PA

The Dagestan superstar previously claimed that he identified the exact moment that McGregor 'wanted out' of their initial clash.

Khabib has also called on the 'Notorious' to earn his rematch by suggesting that he would receive the opportunity should he win ten matches in a row.

The undefeated UFC star also admitted that he is happy fans are seeing through McGregor's persona and called him an "idiot."

PA

He explained: "It's nice for me, because even when I keep quiet and even when I don't say anything people can weigh it up for themselves.

"Hang on, this guy talks and this guy just acts. Just talking is one thing, but when it comes to doing it, he's completely different.

"So, for me, there are no kind of announcements or insults. He's an idiot. We don't pay attention to idiots."

McGregor has announced his intention to return to UFC in 2020 and has been heavily linked with a fight against Donald Cerrone.

But the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champ is keen for a rematch with Khabib and even claimed that he would be willing to fight him in Moscow.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, UFC News, MMA News, UFC, MMA