ISLAM MAKHACHEV said Conor McGregor can't return with a UFC title shot because he is 'drunk all the day'.
McGregor, 33 has been out of action since his horrific leg injury against Dustin Poirier last July, but is expected to return to the cage this year.
Khabib Nurmagomedov photographed with his protege Islam Makhachev
He teased that he might be able to get the lightweight belt when he returns to the Octagon this year.
Makhachev, a highly-tuted contender and mentored by McGregor’s great rival Khabib Numagomedov, slammed this idea.
ESPN reported that he believed the ESPN story was fake. It would be interesting, but it is not true.
"It will be very difficult for him to gain 155lb since he has been drinking all day."
McGregor had to have surgery last year after fracturing his tibia against Poirier in July.
He said that he has made steady progress while rehabbing and that the setback would be a minor bump on his long-storied road.
Free Bets: Get more than PS2,000 in NEW CUSTOMER DEALSMakhachev, however, was there to see Nurmagomedov submit McGregor in 2018 and warned him that he would NEVER do it again.
He stated that "a lot of people will smash him in his division." He will fight Nate Diaz and some other old men to make some cash.
"He will never be a champion, and he will never compete at that level."
"He plays games, he won't take this fight with him because he knows that it will be a long night. After what Khabib did to Khabib.
He is different now. When he fought Khabib, he was in great shape and wasn't drinking too much. But now he must retire.
"This guy has all the money, but if he wishes to come back, let's do that. He will be smashed."
