Things got incredibly personal between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor leading into their fight at UFC 229.
The pair had already been traded shots on social media for years before their eventual matchup six years ago. Though he did well to avoid showing it, ‘The Eagle’ was pushed to the brink by the Irishman’s mental warfare.
Years after the dust settled on the affair, Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed how he felt toward Conor McGregor in the build-up to their clash.
“It was a very emotional time, but at the same time, it was my feelings,” Khabib said regarding his feud with McGregor. “I really wanted to bite somebody’s heart.”
“I just try to bite his heart, you know. I don’t know maybe you can feel this or not. I am ‘The Eagle’, you know.”
“When Eagle is hungry, it’s not good. He has to hunt… When the promotion promoted this fight, they have to expect something [to happen].”
“When they know all my team and when they know we don’t play. We compete, we don’t play. You cannot play MMA.”
“You can play soccer, you can play American football, you can play hockey, but you cannot play MMA. You have to fight, this is [the] fighting game.”
Related: Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov intense video footage surfaces
Khabib later spoke of his current relationship with McGregor.
“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. I just don’t think about this…”
“A lot of people, all the time, they remind me of this situation [with McGregor], but my mind is different in other ways.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov dealt with Conor McGregor and pushed ahead with two more title defenses before calling an end to his career.
While many were sad to see one of the greatest to ever compete hang up the gloves, the Dagestani was just fulfilling the promise of retirement that he made to his mother.
Check out Khabib’s appearance on the Inspire Me Podcast below.
https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/khabib-nurmagomedov-describes-wanting-to-bite-conor-mcgregors-heart
