Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Just over two years ago, at UFC 229, Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor to retain his UFC lightweight title. Nurmagomedov outlanded McGregor 70-59 in terms of significant strikes, knocked McGregor down once, scored three takedowns, had 12 minutes of control time on the ground, and submitted the former two-division world champion with a rear-naked choke in the fourth round. Most people consider the bout to be a dominant performance by Nurmagomedov, but then again, Conor McGregor is not most people.
On Monday, McGregor took to Twitter and spoke about his fight with Khabib, responding to fans and arguing that in actuality, he was beating Khabib up until he was submitted.
I won round 1. Out struck him 3 to 1 here. Elbows,knees,clatters. He held on entire round. Round 2 he won. This round had the kimura attempt you speak of. I kneed him full force into his eye socket here and broke the grip fully. A lovely shot!
I won 3 also and 4 up until the trip— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 19, 2020
On the mula! Round 1’s mine. Out struck 3-1. Elbow,knees,clatters! He held on. 2s his but I land multiple knees. One from standing after the overhand, and one from bottom into the eye socket at kimura attempt. Not a scratch end of round also. I won round 3, and 4 until the trip. https://t.co/0B6T7CbHJO
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 19, 2020
It should be noted that the knee McGregor appears to be referencing was an illegal knee to the head from the bottom in the second round. McGregor was not deducted a point for that blow but did lose the round 10-8 on all three judges’ scorecards.
Speaking of the judges, they disagreed with McGregor’s assessment of the fight. All three judges scored the first round for Khabib, who controlled McGregor for 4:08 of the five-minute round. McGregor though argues that he did more damage and thus deserves the round (according to UFC Stats, McGregor landed six significant strikes).
Damage! Back hands forced him to the fence. Knee into neck as he shot, after 15 seconds of opening bell. Heavy elbow right into his temple as he froze after his shot. Repeated clatters to the temple while he tries his mermaid wrap leg. Rd was 1 pitiful from him. Rd 2 saved him. https://t.co/Pu39GeE4kQ
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 19, 2020
Oh no! It’s a mermaid leg wrap! #FannyPad
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 20, 2020
This is not the first time McGregor has attempted to downplay his defeat to Nurmagomedov. Immediately following the loss, McGregor was humble in defeat but as time wore on, McGregor has blamed the loss on both a lack of dedication and a foot injury. Now, McGregor appears to be inching towards a Chael Sonnen-esque, “I thought tapping out meant I lost the round” style stance.
Ye, not a scratch. Relaxing before I bounced up and bet his brother and his cousin round. https://t.co/lwlFpof4dD
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 20, 2020
McGregor has competed once since the loss to Khabib, knocking out Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January. He is rumored to be rematching Dustin Poirier early next year though. Khabib, meanwhile, submitted Poirier last year and is set to once again defend his title this weekend at UFC 254, this time against Justin Gaethje. Should both men be victorious in their fights, a rematch could be up next.
MUST-READ STORIES
Retire. Khabib Nurmagomedov hints at magic number for retirement: ‘30-0 is going to be great’.
Rematch. Khabib Nurmagomedov: Conor McGregor rematch ‘makes sense’ at 155 – at 170, it’s ‘bye-bye’.
Respect. Brian Ortega reveals how past encounter with Alexander Volkanovski made him respect the UFC champ so much.
Return. Joanna Jedrzejczyk plotting return in 2021, but ‘I don’t see myself fighting without fans’.
Really upset. After UFC Fight Island 6 win, James Krause responds to ‘clown’ Joaquin Buckley: ‘He can get it too… easy work’.
VIDEO STEW
UFC Embedded.
Dana White’s Lookin’ for a Fight.
Khabib vs. Poirier.
The best fights of Khabib.
LISTEN UP
On to the Next One. Matchmaking for the UFC following UFC Fight Island 6.
The Co-Main Event. Discussing the brilliant performance of Brian Ortega and UFC 254.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
I seriously cannot believe the UFC is going to allow Cormier to work UFC 254.
For the first time in his career, @dc_mma will be on the broadcast for his teammate @TeamKhabib’s fight.
DC describes how he’ll approach #UFC254 fight week, including not being in the room for Justin Gaethje’s meeting with the commentary team. pic.twitter.com/xbHD4sah2u
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 19, 2020
Let’s go!
Oh hey! Didn’t se you there!
Up and Coming on Camsoda!
(see what we did there?)Tell your friends! pic.twitter.com/qtmB8mTf4W
— Full Metal Dojo – Home of Fight Circus (@FullMetalDojo) October 19, 2020
Freedom.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Michael Chandler (@mikechandlermma) on Oct 18, 2020 at 11:58pm PDT
February does sound good.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Alexander Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) on Oct 18, 2020 at 11:31pm PDT
This would be fun.
I want to fight three guys in one night old school let’s go @danawhite let’s piss everybody off
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) October 19, 2020
Tony with a great gif selection.
I create damage!! This is music to my ears https://t.co/3XXj5tleLK
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) October 19, 2020
Uppercut Bish’# SweeeeeetChinMusic!!! Dont Worry We’ll See You Soon -Champ ⚔️ -CSO- pic.twitter.com/l1qMKSJYnA
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) October 20, 2020
Confidence.
Can’t wait to prove you wrong @teamkhabib …see you soon.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) October 20, 2020
Big signing.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Mason Jones (@masonjones95) on Oct 18, 2020 at 9:03am PDT
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jake Hager (2-0) vs. Brandon Calton (2-0); Bellator 250, Oct. 29.
Tecia Torres (11-5) vs. Angela Hill (12-9); UFC 256, Dec. 12.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Shout out to Alex K Lee for covering The Morning Report yesterday. He’s a real one. Go follow him on Twitter here.
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow!
EXIT POLL
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