LAS VEGAS,NV – New details have emerged regarding Conor McGregor‘s readiness for his highly anticipated 2018 UFC 229 bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov,suggesting a lack of focused training that may have contributed too his defeat. The revelation comes from Artem Lobov, a longtime teammate of McGregor, in a recent interview.
The October 6, 2018, showdown at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, pitted lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov against challenger Conor McGregor in a fight that transcended the sport of mixed martial arts. Nurmagomedov entered the contest with a 26-0 professional record, while McGregor, a former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, was looking to reclaim the 155-pound title.
The lead-up to UFC 229 was marred by intense animosity. McGregor repeatedly made personal attacks against Nurmagomedov, targeting his religion, nationality, and family. The conflict escalated when Khabib confronted McGregor’s teammate, artem Lobov, at a press conference in Brooklyn, New York, on April 7, 2018, resulting in a physical altercation were Khabib struck Lobov. subsequently, McGregor and a group of associates attacked a bus carrying Khabib and his team as it departed the barclays center, causing injuries to several fighters, including UFC fighters Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg, who were forced to withdraw from their scheduled bouts.
During the fight, Nurmagomedov dominated McGregor, ultimately securing a fourth-round submission victory via neck crank. McGregor tapped out at 3:03 of the fourth round after absorbing significant ground and pound. Referee Herb Dean stopped the fight immediately after the tap. Khabib continued to attempt the submission briefly after the tap, leading to a post-fight brawl involving both teams.
Lobov, speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show podcast, claimed McGregor’s training camp was severely lacking. “He wasn’t training hard, maybe twice a week. He was more focused on partying,” Lobov stated. He contrasted this preparation with McGregor’s dedication leading up to his 2016 victory over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, where McGregor became the first fighter in UFC history to together hold titles in two weight classes.
“If McGregor had focused on training and put in the work, he could have made a comeback and performed at a high level again. Especially in a rematch with Khabib, I believe he has a real chance of winning,” Lobov added.
khabib Nurmagomedov retired from mixed martial arts in March 2020, finishing his career with an undefeated 29-0 record. Conor McGregor has not competed in the UFC since his July 2021 victory over Dustin poirier at UFC 264, where he suffered a broken leg. Reports indicate McGregor still has two fights remaining on his UFC contract. As of November 2023, both fighters’ futures remain uncertain, fueling speculation about potential returns to the Octagon.
(aff/krs)