Conor McGregor lifts lid on UFC 229 camp, reveals key training partner for Khabib fight
CONOR MCGREGOR has brought a Russian wrestler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom into his training camp for his grudge match with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
McGregor will bid to end Nurmagomedov’s brief reign atop of the lightweight division in the main event of UFC 229, which takes place in Las Vegas on October 6.
The most-anticipated fight in mixed martial arts history is a throwback to the early days of the UFC, in which striker versus grappler match-ups were the norm.
Nurmagomedov is the latter of the two and arguably has the best grappling in the UFC.
Prior to and since the announcement of his return, many have wondered how McGregor will prepare for his Dagestani opponent’s relentless forward pressure and immense grappling.
And it appears that ‘The Notorious’ has recruited one of Nurmagomedov’s fellow countrymen to help him reclaim the lightweight title.
On Friday afternoon, McGregor posted a picture of himself and BJJ black belt Ayub Magomadov after a training session at SBG Ireland to his Twitter and Instagram pages.
The accompanying caption read: “I have true respect for the Vainakh soldier.
“Eye to eye respect. Always be aware that when respect is given out of fear, it is fake.
Thank you, Ayub. Proper fighting.
“It is the cowards safest first step towards treason.
“When land is on the line, there are no limits. So there must be no hesitation.
“Stand strong and stay ruthless! Forever and always. Thank you, Ayub. Proper fighting.”
Magomadov’s decision to help prepare McGregor for UFC 229 could very well irk Dagestan native Nurmagomedov as he’s from neighbouring Grozny, the capital of the Chechen Republic.
Nurmagomedov’s father Abdulmanap doesn’t believe McGregor can improve his grappling to the level needed to defeat his son, who has yet to be humbled in 26 fights.
“I think Conor understands that he wasn’t the real champion at 155 [pounds],” Abdulmanap told Alexander Lyutikov.
“He only fought against two lightweights and one of them choked him out.
“When he took the belt, there were about six lightweights who were stronger than him.
“There are a lot of fighters who deserve a title shot more than Conor. For example, (Dustin) Poirier.
“He can keep a high pace, he tries to finish opponents. Poirier is the real contender.”
McGregor, 21-3, hasn’t set foot inside the Octagon claiming the lightweight title nearly two years ago in the main event of UFC 205, where he became the promotion’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion.
The Dubliner was relieved of the lightweight crown in April, a decision the UFC brass made due to the 30-year-old's lengthy hiatus.
Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since succeeding McGregor at the summit of the lightweight division, a feat he achieved in the main event of UFC 223 by defeating Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision.