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McGregor-Instagram<\/p>\n
Cormier says it’s hard-pressed to find the old, motivated McGregor who transcended MMA between 2015-2017. But, according to Cormier, McGregor’s prime years were unmatched when compared to the rest of the sport.<\/p>\n
“When he was the man, I bet you tapped in, I bet you tapped into the UFC more than ever because he could sell a fight,\u201d Cormier said.<\/p>\n
Selling a fight was no problem for “The Notorious,” laying claim to the most-purchased event in UFC history, which saw the Irishman lose to then-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in Oct. 2018, which brought in 2.4 million buys.<\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE: 3 biggest surprises in UFC\u2019s new pound-for-pound rankings<\/a><\/p>\n Nurmagomedov still remains McGregor’s biggest rival despite the pair’s fight nearly approaching its six-year anniversary. Given Nurmagomedov’s close ties to Cormier as ex-training partners, Nurmagomedov brushes McGregor off whenever the fight is mentioned today, Cormier says.<\/p>\n \u201cKhabib won\u2019t say Conor\u2019s name still today,” Cormier said. “He still does not say his name. He hates him. They\u2019re in the octagon and Conor whispers after the third round to Khabib, \u2018It\u2019s just business.\u2019 Khabib goes, \u2018No, it ain\u2019t.\u2019 Khabib was holding him in that [rear naked choke] and said, \u2018I kicked your ass.’\u201d<\/p>\n McGregor’s fighting future is on the ropes after being found liable of rape by the Irish High Court in November 2024. \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n McGregor last fought in July 2021 against Dustin Poirier in their trilogt fight at UFC 264. McGregor nearly ended his layoff last summer, but a postponement to his fight against fellow TUF coach Michael Chandler delayed the return even further.<\/p>\n It remains to be seen whether McGregor returns. Even if he does or doesn’t, the retired Nurmagomedov can always say he earned the last laugh over his biggest rival during one of the UFC’s golden eras pre-pandemic.<\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more\u00a0FREE coverage\u00a0of the UFC, MMA, Boxing. Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n