Khabib’s coach wants Conor McGregor UFC return — on one condition

Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov will forever be linked in UFC history. The former champions shared the octagon at UFC 229 in one of the most anticipated cards over the past decade.

Over five years later, there’s still bad blood between the two sides. When McGregor and Nurmagomedov fought in 2018, both fighters were at the peak of their powers.

“Mystic Mac” had just won the lightweight title, pairing it with his featherweight strap and becoming UFC’s first-ever double champion. Though both titles would be stripped ahead of UFC 229 due McGregor’s focus on boxing Floyd Mayweather Jr.

For Khabib, he entered the McGregor matchup with an unblemished MMA record. At 26-0, Nurmagomedov set his sights on retaining the Lightweight Championship that he received after McGregor was stripped of the title.

Following a long lead-up to the fight, during which McGregor insulted Khabib’s family and religion, the two finally came to blows at UFC 229.

As fans know, Nurmagomedov pummeled McGregor, eventually winning via submission, before an all-out brawl would occur in the crowd.

Dana White reportedly toyed around with the idea of a rematch, but it never came to fruition. Nurmagomedov hasn’t fought since riding into the sunset with a still-perfect record, while McGregor hasn’t made an appearance since fracturing his leg in 2021.

Khabib’s coach wants to see Conor McGregor lose again

After agreeing to fight Michael Chandler in the near future, McGregor’s return to the UFC feels imminent. Khabib’s former trainer, Javier Mendez, explained why he wants McGregor back in the sport. And his reasoning was strictly personal.

“I think McGregor vs. Chandler happens because Conor’s too much of a fighter not to fight again,” Mendez told Casino Alpha. 

While that first statement comes off as supportive of McGregor, the ensuing comments cleared up any confusion. “I’d like to see him fight because I’d like to see him lose because I don’t think he’s a good person.”

Mendez continue:, “He brought pain to a lot of people and hit my nerves when he said: ‘Father evil. COVID good.’ He was referencing Khabib’s father. The whole world suffered through COVID. F-you, McGregor.”

“All the tragedy felt throughout the world, I don’t care who you are, you can’t say that sort of thing. How could he say that? What if he lost his whole family because of COVID?” Mendez asked candidly.

“That one right there made me speak against him. I’d love to see Michael Chandler vs. Conor McGregor get made because I’d love to see him lose,” the long-time coach said.

As a professional fighter, McGregor has made no shortage of enemies. However, with these recent comments from Mendez, the anger toward McGregor is still apparent. That animosity surely won’t subside any time soon.