Daniel Cormier recalls changing attitude towards Conor McGregor because of Khabib Nurmagomedov: "Not just a teammate, he's family"
Daniel Cormier recently recalled Khabib Nurmagomedov questioning him over his friendly interaction with Conor McGregor a few years ago. The former two-division UFC champion detailed how 'The Eagle' didn't understand him being "chummy" with his fierce rival, which led him to change his attitude toward the Irishman.
It's no secret that McGregor and Nurmagomedov shared one of the most heated rivalries in UFC history. While the two tried to settle their differences in the cage at UFC 229 in October 2018, their hatred for each other never simmered down. The two continue trading shots online and in interviews to this day.
Given that Cormier shares a close relationship with Nurmagomedov, perhaps it's no surprise that the former UFC lightweight champion wasn't happy about 'DC' being extra friendly with his rival. In a recent YouTube video, Cormier recalled Nurmagomedov putting him on the spot and said:
"If you’re in such a great conflict with someone, as my friend, we as Americans may not see the need to kind of fall in line and feel or operate in the same way. Conor McGregor, who I met back in the day... We’ve always been cordial with each other. I saw Conor McGregor in Abu Dhabi, maybe when he was fighting Dustin Poirier."
Cormier continued:
"We were shaking hands, talking a little bit, and very kind of chummy. And Khabib was like, ‘Brother, I don’t understand this! If I see Conor with his wife, I’ll shake his hand, because that’s what you’re supposed to do. But brother?’... Look at the stance he’s taken in regards to everyone you deal with, why wouldn’t you take that same stance? So things have changed now... Honestly, Khabib's not just a teammate, he's family."
Catch Daniel Cormier's comments below (4:46):
Referee Herb Dean talks aftermath of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor at UFC 229
Veteran referee Herb Dean recently opened up about the aftermath of the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor lightweight battle at UFC 229. The two UFC icons notably engaged in a post-fight brawl after their bout, with their teams jumping into the cage to throw it down.
In an interview on the JAXXON PODCAST, Dean recalled the infamous fight and detailed what was going through his mind after. He said:
"When it first started, [Nurmagomedov's] holding on to the choke. I get him to let go, he's still on [McGregor]. I'm kinda standing in between them. All of a sudden, he's over talking to somebody else, and then I tried to keep him from going out or something, but then once it got to that point, I'm like, this is beyond my job. This is everybody else's job. My job is done." [H/t: Bloody Elbow]
Watch the full video below: