Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t often comment on Conor McGregor these days, but when he does, his words tend to make headlines. Speaking recently, the former lightweight champion offered a surprisingly measured take on McGregor’s long discussed return, saying he hopes Conor changes how he’s living outside the cage if he wants a successful comeback.

Rather than returning fire with insults, Khabib expressed genuine concern over McGregor’s current lifestyle. He pointed toward reports of excessive partying, drinking, late night social media rants and business distractions as signs that the former two division champion may not be fully focused on the demanding grind it takes to compete with today’s elite competitors.

“It all depends on him. If he changes how he’s living, comes back focused, it’s possible. If not, it’s going to be hard,” Khabib said.

Nurmagomedov emphasised that McGregor was once a dangerous and driven athlete who stayed in the gym year round. But between his broken leg in 2021, long layoffs from competition and a lifestyle that does not resemble that of a disciplined contender, Khabib suggested the clock is ticking. He made it clear that if Conor wants to be a serious force at lightweight again, he needs to return to the humble, hungry routine that got him to the top in the first place.

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With McGregor’s planned bout against Michael Chandler still not officially booked and now delayed after being removed from UFC 303, Khabib’s comments add even more intrigue to the storyline. His words come across not so much as trash talk but as a veteran’s warning: talent alone will not beat the current crop of killers at 155 pounds, especially if your personal life isn’t aligned with your professional goals.

Whether McGregor takes that advice remains to be seen, but as anticipation builds for his long delayed Octagon return, Khabib has once again managed to remind the MMA world of what’s really at stake: legacy, discipline and the harsh reality that the fight game waits for no one.

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