Michael Bisping has claimed Khabib Nurmagomedov still lives "rent free" in rival Conor McGregor's head.
Nurmagomedov and McGregor hold a long-term rivalry which has failed to be settled despite the Russian star having his hand raised in their UFC title fight in 2018. A furious brawl broke out after the fight between both fighters' teams which has seen their rivalry continue to this day.
The former champions continue to exchange verbal barbs on social media, but a rematch is highly unlikely to materialise with Nurmagomedov having retired from competition. But in renewed criticism of McGregor, UFC legend Bisping has suggested the Irishman has yet to move on from their feisty encounter.
"Conor McGregor is always talking c*** about him and always calling him out," Bisping quickly remarked during an episode of his Believe You Me podcast. "The man lives rent free in his head."
Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor in 2018 to retain his UFC lightweight title, and McGregor's form immediately took a decline afterwards having won just one fight in his three since that date. The pair initially discussed a rematch, but Nurmagomedov later retired after making back-to-back defences against Justin Gaethje.
Reports indicated Nurmagomedov has turned his back on MMA entirely and is unlikely to return even if it is to coach protege Islam Makhachev. However, fans became excited after seeing Nurmagomedov had put on weight, even proposing that the pair fight at "heavyweight" given the Irishman has also piled on the pounds.
Would you like to see a rematch between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor? Let us know in the comments section below
Despite McGregor proposing a second showdown on social media earlier this year, he elected to withdraw his offer after receiving no response from his rival. His rival barely addresses their previous encounter and feud, and explained that he prefers to leave the past behind him rather that continue their spat.
“Already all world was watching this fight," he said during an appearance on his friend Daniel Cormier's ESPN show. "People wanted to talk about something like when they want to promote this. Like this fight become like bigger than, bigger than our sport, bigger than… Like all the time talking about this, I don’t like to be honest.
"But this is like one of the best moment ever happened in my professional career. 2018 October 6… I remember every day, almost everything, almost and it’s like people, people never talk about one thing. People never talk about when I jump, with me jumped all the sport.”
McGregor is currently out of action but has hinted in his social media activity he will begin to look for an opponent next month, as his rehabilitation from a broken leg suffered in July 2021 continues. Several potential new rivals are understood to be in the race to share the octagon upon his comeback, which is currently led by American star Michael Chandler who is open to a switch to 170lb.
