Joe Rogan revisits witnessing rage-fueled Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov rivalry from up-close
Joe Rogan had the privilege of witnessing the buildup to the grudge match between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov from up close. Even though it's been more than four years since the biggest rivalry in MMA history transpired, the feud continues to live on to this day.
MMA fans realized that they were witnessing an unprecedented event in the UFC every time the pair squared off or engaged in verbal fencing. Even UFC President Dana White, a man who has seen it all in the sport of mixed martial arts, was taken aback as he watched the two hurl contemptuous insults at each other.
In front of 10,651 fans, the atmosphere at the UFC 229 weigh-ins erupted when Conor McGregor and Nurmagomedov came face-to-face for one last time before they locked horns inside the octagon. 'The Eagle' paid little attention to the jeering Irish crowd and made his intentions loud and clear- "I'm going to smash your boy [McGregor]!"
"I'm gonna smash your boy!" 😮 https://t.co/nEl6dilCyG
While discussing who he considers to be one of the greatest in the sport in episode #1906 of The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE), the UFC color commentator found it fitting to revisit the eternal rivalry between Nurmagomedov and McGregor:
"Khabib is definitely in the conversation. He's the only elite guy to retire undefeated. He was so good dude! Hard as nails. When he fought Conor McGregor and they were booing him at the weigh-ins and he goes, 'I'm going to smash your boy."
Khabib Nurmagomedov won the fight against Conor McGregor at UFC 229 by submitting him in the fourth round. After the fight, he infamously jumped out of the cage and fought McGregor's team, leading to a full-blown brawl.
#AndStill! 28-0 @TeamKhabib submits Conor McGregor in Round 4 #UFC229
📸 Stephen R. Sylvanie – @usatsimg
Full fight recap: bit.ly/2CtShpt https://t.co/yAymZBLK41
Watch the finishing sequence below:
Khabib makes Conor tap out and then chaos ensues
- Khabib talks some extra trash to Conor
- Khabib jumps the cage
- Conor appears to get punched by a member of Khabib's team https://t.co/w2eg4Yz3tc
Catch Rogan's comments in the clip below:
Can Conor McGregor make a successful comeback? Joe Rogan weighs in
Conor McGregor recently lashed out at Joe Rogan. It started when 'The Notorious' rebuked the UFC color commentator for pointing out illegal strikes from his grudge match against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229.
The podcaster has openly admitted that he's not convinced that McGregor's new physique was built in a legal and ethical manner. He even suggested on the most recent episode of his Spotify podcast that the fighter would fail drug tests.
Joe Rogan shares his thoughts on Conor McGregor’s situation with USADA 🥤
Full story: bit.ly/3VWLrNU https://t.co/HQDDo5kpdY
These comments aggravated the Irishman, who harshly responded to his comments on Twitter.
Regardless of their current differences, Joe Rogan is confident in McGregor's abilities as a competitor and weighed in on his comeback on a recent episode of JRE:
"He could [make a comeback]. He certainly could. The reason why Floyd Mayweather was still elite at the top of his game.... I don't think you ever forget where you came from. I think Conor could still do it."
Conor McGregor is expected to return to action next year after being away from the sport, recovering from a leg injury he sustained in his fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
Catch Rogan's comments below: