There is definitely no love misplaced between Islam Makhachev’s group and Conor McGregor, however even the reigning UFC welterweight champion could not be completely happy to see the Irish celebrity’s long-awaited return finish in such a tragic method.
After a five-year hiatus as a consequence of a damaged foot sustained in his final UFC look, McGregor was gearing up for one of the crucial anticipated return bouts within the sport’s historical past at UFC 329 in June. Sadly, McGregor threw a flying roundhouse kick to start out the combat, but it surely landed awkwardly, crushing his knee and tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.
McGregor tried to proceed, however his harm prevented him and the bout was stopped simply 69 seconds into the opening spherical.
Makhachev was assured Max Holloway would beat McGregor in that combat, however even he was upset with how the entire ordeal had unfolded.
“To be sincere, I really feel unhealthy,” Makhachev instructed Complicated Sports activities. “I do know Max goes to beat him, however not this quick within the first minute.
“I needed to see how he would compete after 5 years (off), however to be sincere, I felt unhealthy when this occurred.”
Since his harm, McGregor has undergone surgical procedure to restore a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, and has revealed that he’s now focusing on Worldwide Battle Week in 2027 as his subsequent combat again.
McGregor has brazenly acknowledged that his subsequent combat is his final on his present contract with the UFC, which appears to counsel he may attain free company and take a combat outdoors of the promotion.
In fact, McGregor’s rivalry with Makhachev’s group has been well-documented ever since McGregor had one of the crucial awkward build-ups in UFC historical past as he ready for a showdown with Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.
This unstable rivalry culminated in Nurmagomedov defeating McGregor, leaping over the cage and attacking considered one of his coaches. The coach was additionally abusive earlier than the sport.
As for Makhachev, he’s making closing preparations for his first title protection at 170 kilos when he takes on fellow Irishman Ian Machado Garry because the headliner at UFC 330 in Philadelphia.
