Conor McGregor: Watch Notorious send fans message after trying to KICK Khabib at weigh-ins
CONOR MCGREGOR has told his legion of fans he's delighted to be back in the UFC ahead of his showdown with Khabib Nurmagomedov, who he clashed with at this morning's ceremonial weigh-ins.
'The Notorious' will challenge Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title in the main event of UFC 229 early on Sunday morning.
The contest will be the Irishman's first mixed martial arts bout since his historic UFC 205 victory over Eddie Alvarez, a triumph which saw him become the promotion's first simultaneous two-weight world champion.
Throughout the build-up to his long-awaited return to the cage, McGregor has vowed to dethrone the undefeated Nurmagomedov via knockout and taunted the Russian on numerous occasions.
And he almost came to blows with 'The Eagle' at the ceremonial weigh-ins after hitting his arms, an act which led to a scuffle in which he tried to kick his opponent.
The pair were prevented from throwing down a little over 24 hours before their grudge match by UFC president Dana White and the security on the stage.
McGregor took the microphone moments after the scuffle and took the time to laud his die-hard fans.
"Don't let that smelly rat put that hat on your head, Joe," McGregor told UFC commentator Joe Rogan. "The smell of that thing. Don't let him put that hat on your head.
"It's good to be back. UFC fans, it's good to be f***ing back! The king is home."
Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s face off before the scuffle. #UFC229 pic.twitter.com/fhT9lGJzw2
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) October 6, 2018
UFC fans, it's good to be f***ing back!
Nurmagomedov was then interviewed by Rogan and vowed to make McGregor's return to the Octagon a night to forget.
"Tomorrow night, I'm going to smash your boy, guys," he said to a chorus of boos. "I'm going to smash your boy.
"And I want to say thank you to all Irish fans, all fans around the world. Because of you guys, this fight happen.
"Thank you, guys. And tomorrow night, inshallah, 'and still.'"
UFC 229 Fight Card
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Conor McGregor (lightweight title fight)
Tony Ferguson vs Anthony Pettis (lightweight bout)
Ovince Saint Preux vs Dominick Reyes (light-heavyweight bout)
Derrick Lewis vs Alexander Volkov (heavyweight bout)
Michelle Waterson vs Felice Herring (women’s strawweight bout)
Prelims
Sergio Pettis vs Jussier Formica (men’s flyweight bout)
Scott Holtzman vs Alan Patrick (lightweight bout)
Ryan LaFlare vs Tony Martin (welterweight bout)
Fight Pass Prelims
Lina Lansberg vs Yana Kunitskaya (women’s bantamweight bout)
Gray Maynard vs Nik Lentz (lightweight bout)
Aspen Ladd vs Tonya Evinger (women's bantamweight bout)