“I Feel Bad”- Islam Makhachev Shows Unexpected Compassion for Conor McGregor Following Failed Comeback
Islam Makhachev is expected to make his much-anticipated return in the main event of UFC 330 on August 15. Last month, fans saw the return of the ‘Notorious’ Conor McGregor against former BMF champion Max Holloway.
It was McGregor’s first fight in five years, and the hype surrounding it was massive, as the Irishman exuded confidence. Unfortunately, the fight didn’t go as expected, and McGregor busted his knee in the first round, and Holloway won via TKO.
Following that, McGregor mentioned that he hasn’t lost motivation and will be back for MMA action in 2027. In a recent interview, Makhachev was asked about McGregor’s injury, and despite their history, the Dagestani showed empathy.
“Honestly, I feel bad you know. I knew Max gonna beat him, but not in the first minute. I wanted to see how he’d fight after 5 years, honestly, feel bad,” Islam Makhachev via Complex.
Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov have a huge rivalry with Conor McGregor, which started back in 2018. Nurmagomedov beat McGregor at UFC 229, and both teams got into a massive, infamous brawl.
Over the years, both McGregor and Nurmagomedov have never missed any opportunity to diss each other in interviews. However, recently, the Irishman praised Makhachev’s recent success and title defences.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov predicts Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry
Islam Makhachev’s last Octagon outing was in November last year when he beat Jack Della Maddalena to win the welterweight title. Defending his title against Ian Garry, the pound-for-pound king is the fan favourite to win.
Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, recently spoke about this fight in detail and shared his opinion. “He [Ian Garry] runs a lot, his strikes come from a long distance. We’ve never faced an opponent this tall -190+ cm (6’3″). We’ll have to chase him, close the distance, grab him, and take him down. It will be a difficult fight. Islam is almost 35,” said Khabib Nurmagomedov via Smol Talk.
Garry is well aware of Makhachev’s undefeated run and incredible wrestling pressure and has been preparing for it. The fighter wants to win the belt and become the new Irish UFC champion since Conor McGregor.
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