That Time Conor McGregor Criticized Khabib Nurmagomedov for Withdrawals

Give it up one more time for Mystic Mac.

Conor McGregor conferred that moniker on himself for predicting—quite accurately—when and how his fights would end. But it turns out he's pretty adept at predicting all sorts of things in the MMA world.

When word came Friday afternoon that lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov had fallen ill during his weight cut, thus canceling his much-anticipated top-contender scrap with Tony Ferguson Saturday at UFC 209, an old video clip of McGregor quickly resurfaced.

For those unaware, McGregor, the current lightweight champ, and Nurmagomedov, the undefeated phenom, have had plenty of verbal altercations since they each rose to prominence. Most recently, Nurmagomedov called McGregor "a chicken" in November at UFC 205.

Well, after yet another setback has stopped Nurmagomedov from competing—only three fights now in the past three years, for those keeping score—that sort of trash talking is looking a little hollow.

Not so much on the McGregor end of things. 

McGregor also competed at UFC 205, knocking out Eddie Alvarez in the main event to capture the 155-pound strap. Afterward, when asked about Nurmagomedov's chicken comments, McGregor took the opportunity to respond.

"Look, he's only competed once in eight years," McGregor said, with a slight exaggeration of numbers. "You know what I'm saying? He ain't fight too frequent for my liking. ...He's a consistent pull-out merchant."

Check the video for McGregor's suddenly extra-prescient take on the Dagestani contender.