The rivalry between Team Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor has produced some of the most hostile moments in MMA history. None of that stopped Islam Makhachev from expressing genuine sympathy after watching McGregor’s comeback end in 69 seconds at UFC 329.
What Islam Makhachev Has Said About Conor McGregor’s UFC 329 mishap
Speaking to Complex, Islam Makhachev was straightforward about his reaction to the injury.
“Honestly, I feel bad. I know Max is gonna beat him, but not fast like this. I wanted to see how he fights after five years.”
Coming from a man whose team has a deeply personal history with Conor McGregor dating back to the UFC 229 brawl that followed Khabib’s submission of ‘The Notorious’, that statement carries genuine weight. The respect is real regardless of the rivalry.
Conor McGregor’s Generous Words Before the Fight
What makes this exchange even more layered is what Conor McGregor said about Islam Makhachev before UFC 329. In an interview with Complex, McGregor placed Makhachev above Khabib in his personal assessment, citing Makhachev’s two-division championship status and CV as the differentiating factor.
He urged Makhachev to keep going and not walk away from the sport, a direct counter to Khabib’s well-documented position that Makhachev should consider retirement around age 35, which arrives this October.
Islam Makhachev Is Not Going Anywhere
Despite Khabib’s influence over his career decisions and his mother’s longstanding requests for him to step away, two-division champion Islam Makhachev has shown absolutely no indication of retiring. He remains one of the most dominant fighters on the planet and has a significant challenge ahead in the form of Ian Machado Garry, McGregor’s own protege, at UFC 330.
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