Khabib Nurmagomedov comments on Conor McGregor's sexual assault setback: 'This guy deserves punishment'

K. Nurmagomedov (photo) has been retired from MMA since October 2020. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @khabib_nurmagomev

Khabib Nurmagomedov does not usually post on social media, but the conviction in the civil sphere for sexual assault of his biggest rival, Conor McGregor, made the 'bear come out of his den'. Retired since 2020, the former UFC champion made an exception to share what he thinks about 'The Notorious' recent defeat in court.

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Through his official account on 'X' (formerly Twitter), Khabib congratulated the project's work '$Convict McGregor', a cryptocurrency token inspired by the controversies surrounding the Irish fighter. A form of provocation that gained even more strength with the support of the Russian.

“Good job guys, you have my full support. This guy deserves punishment,” Khabib wrote. (see below)

Good job guys, you have my full support, this guy deserves punishment https://t.co/tOFNJrBUYV

— Khabib Nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) November 27, 2024

Besides Khabib, another rival McGregor also spoke out on social media. Shortly after the sentencing of 'The Notorious', Dustin poirier shared a post from a fan who expressed gratitude for him defeating McGregor in their previous fight.

McGregor has not stepped into the Octagon in more than three years after fracturing his leg in his trilogy against Poirier in July 2021. He was scheduled to face Michael chandler No. UFC 303 in June, but had to withdraw due to a new injury, this time to one of his toes.

Rivalries with Khabib and Poirier

The rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov e Conor McGregor was one of the most intense in MMA history. It began with McGregor's taunts before UFC 229, culminating in Khabib's dominant fourth-round submission victory. After the fight, a full-scale brawl erupted, involving teams on both sides. The tension between the two was marked by personal insults and cultural differences, solidifying their confrontation as one of the most memorable and controversial moments in the sport

The rivalry between McGregor and Dustin poirier is marked by ups and downs. The two first fought at UFC 178 in 2014, with McGregor winning by knockout in the first round. Years later, in 2021, they faced each other at UFC 257, where Poirier scored a second-round TKO victory, tying the score.

The trilogy was completed in UFC 264, also in 2021, but it ended tragically: McGregor suffered a broken leg in the first round, giving Poirier the victory by medical stoppage. Despite the defeat in the trilogy, Conor continued to fire verbal attacks, while 'The Diamond' sought to maintain his stance focused on the sport. The rivalry between the two remains one of the most talked about in the history of MMA.

McGregor's conviction

C. McGregor was convicted of sexual assault in Ireland. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @thenotoriousmma

The charges against McGregor date back to December 2018. According to Nikita Hand, the fighter raped her in a hotel in Dublin. After the conviction, the Irishman said he intends to appeal the decision.

“I will appeal today’s decision. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support around the world,” he said.

Hand, who will be compensated €248,603.60 (more than R$1,5 million), said when leaving the High Court in Dublin that the decision is proof of the existence of justice for all citizens.

“I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how scared you are, speak up, you have a voice and you continue to fight for justice. I know this has had a tremendous impact on not only my life, but my daughter’s life, my family and friends. It’s something I will never forget for the rest of my life,” she said.