Conor McGregor Wants Khabib Rematch, Tells Russian 'Easy To Do It Once'

Conor McGregor has demanded a rematch against Khabib Nurmagomedov to settle their “dispute” referring to the brawl that occurred following their fight in October 2018. He admitted that he disrespected the Russian fighter going into their first encounter and has vowed not to repeat his mistake.

The Irishman has been in the United States traveling around Chicago, Boston and New York celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, which he wants to convert to St. Patrick’s week. McGregor has been talking about a potential return to the octagon revealing that negotiations are on for a potential July return.

The Notorious faced Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 on Oct. 6 and lost the match via submission in round 4. It was a match filled with animosity between the two fighters and it boiled over after as a brawl between the two entourages erupted.

The Russian was handed a $500,000 fine and suspended for nine months for his role in the brawl, while McGregor was fined $50,000 and suspended for six months. The suspensions were backdated to the day of the fight, which means the Irishman can return to the octagon in April, while Nurmagomedov can return in July.

The UFC lightweight champion, however, has vowed not to return to the octagon until his cousin and teammate’s suspensions come to an end after they were handed 1-year bans. But McGregor, who praised Nurmagomedov as a “formidable opponent”, believes the only way to settle it is to have a rematch.

The Irishman also taunted him by suggesting that it is “easy to do it once” and revealed performing at a high level on a consistent basis sometimes sees a fighter’s motivation and dedication dip. McGregor admitted it was the case for him going into the fight against Nurmagomedov.

“He’s a formidable opponent, wrestled bears since he was a kid. He’s put a lot of time in his standup work and it was a lot sharper than I anticipated it was going to be. I’ve got to respect that, it was his big moment. It’s easy to do this once, it’s very easy for someone to be given something and to do it just one time. It’s like you put your absolute all into it,” McGregor said during a recent Q&A, as quoted on BJPENN.com.

“If you do it time after time and year after year, that’s when the motivation kind of dips, that’s when the dedication kind of lacks, and that’s when people creep up,” he added. “That’s what I feel has happened here, I didn’t give him his respect, I marched forward, I didn’t give a s--t, I got caught with that overhand."

“If I switched on, I would not get caught with that overhand in any form of combat. I’m very confident, very eager, very in shape, let’s keep it going. When there’s dispute, there must be a rematch. There was a dispute in my last one, I slapped his brother and his cousin on top of the cage, he [Nurmagomedov] tried to jump out and run. This is not over, so there’s a dispute, there has to be a rematch,” McGregor said talking about a rematch.