Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor’s rivalry has been one of the most heated in UFC history, but despite their contentious past, the retired lightweight champion believes his former opponent still has a chance to redeem himself.
Speaking at a Muslim religion gathering at the Tilles Center in New York, Nurmagomedov was asked about McGregor and his recent controversies.
Rather than focus on their feud, Khabib framed the Irishman’s troubles as a form of consequence, but also as an opportunity for change:
This is punishment. This is punishment and (McGregor) keeps doing this, keeps doing this, keeps doing this.
Everything that happened with these old people, woman this, alcohol this, drugs, everything. This is punishment…
But the most beautiful part of this, Allah always gives for us – it doesn’t matter anybody, everybody – (a) chance to come back.
Always, in this world, a chance to come back.
McGregor’s legal troubles have continued to mount in recent years.
In 2019, he was charged with assault for punching an elderly man in a Dublin pub.
He was recently found liable for sexual assault in a civil suit stemming from a 2018 incident in Dublin – a verdict he did not appeal – and is currently facing another civil suit over an alleged 2023 sexual assault in Miami.
Outside of the courtroom, he was embroiled in a social media controversy in July when rapper Azealia Banks leaked alleged nude photos of him.
Khabib says the responsibility now lies with McGregor to set a better example for his massive fan base:
I think he has a chance and he has to change the way how he’s living.
Why am I talking about this? If he’s going to change, he can change with him so many lives, too. And that’s why I wish him to change himself.
Khabib speaks about Conor McGregor:
“Allah always give us chance to come back… doesn’t matter how you bad…
I think he have chance, and he have to change the way how he’s living.
If he gonna change, he can change with him so many other lives too. That’s why I wish him to… pic.twitter.com/fN4oGNk0Qn
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 3, 2025
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