Conor McGregor (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Conor McGregor made headlines before and after UFC 264 on account of various, inflammatory statements he made about Dustin Poirier and his wife. But, Khabib Nurmagomedov believes his rival made a mistake, ramping up the trash talk.

As McGregor approached his rematch with Poirier this past January, the polarizing fighter surprised many, with his respectful and calm rhetoric. But, following his stoppage loss at UFC 257, McGregor repeatedly warned and insulted Poirier as their rubber match approached.

Following McGregor’s TKO defeat to Poirier this past weekend, Nurmagomedov spoke with ESPN. While discussing McGregor’s angry and controversial statements, before and after the loss, Khabib stated the following (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“It sounds like same thing Dustin saying, it’s just noise,” Nurmagomedov said. “He’s not him. I think it was fake Conor. That’s my opinion because couple months ago we see how he was nice, now he try to be like – it looks fake. That’s why this trash talk don’t work on Dustin Poirier. My opinion, it was his big mistake. He lose so much energy because he tried to go under his skin. Don’t focus on your opponent. Just focus on yourself.”

McGregor also made inflammatory and controversial remarks heading into his 2018, submission loss to Nurmagomedov.

And when asked if he believes McGregor will ever be the same, after breaking his leg at UFC 264, the retired fighter said no.

“Without broken legs, yes, but with broken legs never because he’s never going to kick the same,” Nurmagomedov said. “With him, no, I don’t believe. Conor have good age, only 32 … but what happened with his mind, legs – this guy is finished, but he’s good for promotion.”

The 33-year-old McGregor (22-6) has gone 1-3 now since his 2016 win over Eddie Alvarez.