In the UFC world, there are rivalries that do not fade even after years. One of the loudest and most memorable conflicts in mixed martial arts history remains the feud between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. Recently, former two-division UFC champion and current Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier shared details that make it clear: for Khabib, that fight never became "just business."
"The Name He Won't Say"
According to Cormier, Nurmagomedov still avoids even mentioning the Irishman's name. For the Russian fighter, their 2018 bout was not a marketing show but a genuine personal war. Cormier emphasizes that Khabib sincerely hates McGregor and is still not ready to view him as just another opponent from the past.
How It Unfolded in the Octagon
The fight between Khabib and Conor became a global event and set pay-per-view records. In that contest, Nurmagomedov demonstrated his dominance and finished the bout with a choke submission in the fourth round. However, as Cormier recounted, beyond technique and tactics there was an emotional drama: during the break between rounds, McGregor whispered to Khabib, "It's just business." Khabib replied, "No, it's not." Then, when he took the back and locked in the choke, Khabib said, "I kicked your ****."
Echoes of a Great Feud
Khabib's line, spoken in the finishing sequence—"I kicked your ****."—became a symbol of his stance in this rivalry. Those words summed up not only the fight but also the long-standing animosity between the two superstars. And although Khabib has long since retired, the story of their rivalry still resurfaces in the media space, confirming that for him it was not a show but a matter of honor.
