CONOR MCGREGOR has been told bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov still lives “rent-free” in his head.
The UFC’s poster boy came up short in his 2018 grudge match with the undefeated Russian and has repeatedly tried to goad him into a rematch ever since.
Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov took part in the biggest fight in UFC history in 2018
The Notorious has tried to goad Nurmagomedov into a rematch on several occasions
Ex-UFC middleweight champ Michael Bisping reckons Nurmagomedov lives ‘rent-free’ in McGregor’s head
Nurmagomedov, however, walked away from the sport in October 2020 – although that didn’t stop McGregor from calling for a second showdown late last year.
And former middleweight champion Michael Bisping believes The Eagle occupies a huge amount of real estate in the head of the Irishman.
During a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, Britain’s first UFC champ said: “Conor McGregor is always talking c**p about him and always calling him out.
“The man lives rent-free in his head.”
Former pound-for-pound king Nurmagomedov retired from MMA following a submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
The Dagestani destroyer turned his hand to coaching but has since taken a break from the sport as a whole to spend more time with his family.
McGregor, meanwhile, is gearing up to make a blockbuster return to the cage later this year.
The former two-division champion hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since shattering his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in the summer of 2021.
But he’s seemingly primed and ready to return to action after a long and extensive rehab.
During an impromptu Instagram Q&A last October, he said: “I’m going to be back soon, hopefully.
“Early 2023 I’m aiming for. Sometime in that first quarter. That will give me a good couple of months [to prepare].
“Once I wrap this up in a couple of days, get the camp going [for] a good couple of months. And get going.”
Conor McGregor is hoping to return to the octagon early next year
McGregor, however, has yet to re-enrol in the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool – which he must be in for six months before competing.
But the Dubliner is seemingly hoping to receive an exemption to make an earlier-than-expected return.
In November, Mystic Mac tweeted: “I’m clear for testing in February.
“I will complete my two tests per USADA & we are booking a fight.”
