Conor McGregor has withdrawn his UFC rematch offer to "smellbag" Khabib Nurmagomedov after failing to receive a response.
McGregor is out of action after breaking his leg in defeat by Dustin Poirier last July, but has been eyeing a number of fights upon his return. This includes a second meeting with Russian star Nurmagomedov who choked him out during their high-profile clash in 2018.
Nurmagomedov recently aimed a jibe at McGregor, echoing the Dubliner's famous phrase, saying: "I hear long time ago when one guy was talking about, 'We're here to take over.' But we here to take over." McGregor promptly hit back on Twitter making a rematch offer, responding: "I fight on! Your fathers plan is never complete because you quit and ran, brother.
"God bless. I’m still here if you want to go again. But your fear of defeat means you’ve already lost. Run from it all you want. We all lose in the end. Death takes us all. I fear nothing but God."
But the 34-year-old star has now revoked his plan, adding: "Actually you know what I don’t want to fight the smellbag. There are way better fights out there, but let it be known that he is the biggest wet the bed in fighting history is what this guy is. Think of the magnitude this fight would have. Absolute bottler you are. Father gonna slap you 100 per cent."
Nurmagomedov retired two years after his infamous clash with McGregor after beating Justin Gaethje, which saw him bow out undefeated. The Irishman has repeatedly vowed that he is the man to break his rival's undefeated streak, but any official talks over a second meeting are unlikely to materialise.
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UFC president Dana White has frequently made plays to try and convince Nurmagomedov to return to the cage for a groundbreaking second meeting but has made no progress. McGregor has also suffered a significant decline in form which began with his loss to Nurmagomedov.
The Irishman is currently stepping up his training ahead of a return in 2023, where he will look to rebuild after suffering losses in three of his last four fights. There are a number of potential fights on the table when McGregor returns, with his plan to instead return at 170lb in order to search for redemption.
He has faced several call-outs at that weight including Michael Chandler who is willing to make the switch from 155lb to secure the fight. And the American believes he will be the man selected for his potential rival's comeback fight next year. I do," Chandler said when asked if McGregor will make a comeback. "And I believe his first fight back will be me, it makes a ton of sense. I believe that I've made myself not just one of the most exciting guys in the UFC but probably the most exciting guy in the lightweight division."
