Islam Makhachev has fired a brutal verbal shot at former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor, suggesting the Irish superstar is motivated purely by money and claiming his financial situation is the result of spending on “drugs and alcohol.”
Speaking to MMA Junkie ahead of his UFC 330 welterweight title defense against Ian Machado Garry, Makhachev shared his thoughts on McGregor’s fighting future following the Irishman’s recent return at UFC 329. He said:
“I heard he has one last fight under his contract. I think he’s gonna fight last time and he gonna move to boxing or somewhere to make money.”
He then added:
“Maybe he spend all his money on drugs and alcohol. He needs more money.”
Check out Islam Makhachev’s comments about Conor McGregor below:
Islam Makhachev Questions Conor McGregor’s Motivation Following UFC 329 Defeat
Islam Makhachev’s comments come just weeks after Conor McGregor returned to the Octagon at UFC 329, where he lost to Max Holloway after suffering an early injury in one of the promotion’s biggest events of the year.
The loss marked another setback for the former featherweight and lightweight champion, whose fighting schedule has become increasingly sporadic in recent years.
Despite competing only once since 2021, McGregor remains one of the UFC’s biggest commercial attractions. UFC president Dana White has repeatedly stated that McGregor still has one fight remaining on his current UFC contract, fueling speculation over whether the Irishman will compete again before potentially pursuing opportunities in boxing or other combat sports.
However, the pound-for-pound king believes financial incentives are now the primary reason ‘The Notorious’ continues to fight. The reigning welterweight champion suggested that the former champion’s focus has shifted away from legacy and competition toward securing another lucrative payday before leaving mixed martial arts.
The comments are the latest chapter in the long-running tension between Team Khabib and McGregor. Since McGregor’s heated rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov culminated at UFC 229, members of Khabib’s camp, including Makhachev, have frequently exchanged verbal jabs with the Irish star.
For Makhachev, the focus now returns to business inside the Octagon. The Dagestani champion is preparing for his first welterweight title defense against Ian Machado Garry in the main event of UFC 330, where he will look to extend his dominant run and further strengthen his case as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.
Whether McGregor responds remains to be seen, but Makhachev’s remarks are certain to reignite one of MMA’s most enduring rivalries outside the cage.
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