Khabib Says 'I Wish' Conor McGregor Will 'Change Himself' After Historic UFC Rivalry

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor's former UFC rival, said that he hopes to see McGregor "change himself" before he faces "punishment all his life."

"This is punishment, [but] the most beautiful part of this is Allah always give the chance to come back," Nurmagomedov said, per ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "I think he has a chance. He has to change how he is living.

"Why am I talking about this? If he's going to change, he can change with him so many other lives too. That's why I wish him to change himself. If he's not going to change, it will be punishment all his life."

McGregor and Nurmagomedov engaged in a brief but fierce rivalry earlier in their careers. The two squared off at UFC 229 in October of 2018, and Nurmagomedov won via submission to claim the Lightweight Championship.

The fight didn't end with McGregor's submission, though, as Nurmagomedov jumped out of the Octagon and continued to fight with McGregor's corner.

The two haven't met since their fight in 2018, and Nurmagomedov retired as an undefeated champion in 2020, but McGregor teased the idea of a rematch in 2021.

"It's a tough business. Things have gone on in his personal life. I don't wish him any harm," McGregor said. "Like I said, it was in 2018. A lot of time has passed. The world knows this fight is not over. This war is not over. The sport needs it to happen; the people need it to happen. I'm not gonna chase it if he doesn't want it. And that's it. I'll keep my calm and move on. And that's what I'm doing. I'm back here in the 155-pound division. I'll show the world what's what over time."

While McGregor made it clear he wanted another shot against Nurmagomedov, a rematch doesn't seem to be coming anytime soon.

McGregor has not fought since July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier. He is, however, potentially on his way back to the UFC after renrolling in the mandatory testing pool. He was recently challenged by UFC veteran Michael Chandler to a fight at the UFC event at the White House in 2026.