Daniel Cormier annoyed Khabib Nurmagomedov when he shook Conor McGregor’s hand in 2021 at his fight with Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi.
Khabib and McGregor are not on the best of terms following their UFC 229 clash. The build-up was marred by controversy, with McGregor alleged to have disrespected Khabib’s religion during the press conference. McGregor also attacked Khabib’s team bus before the fight. Khabib would submit McGregor in the fourth round. However, the controversy did not stop when Khabib jumped over the Octagon, and a brawl broke out.
Since that fight, McGregor has been firing verbal shots at Khabib on social media. He mocked Khabib after reports that he had underpaid taxes to the Russian government. He also accused Khabib of ducking a rematch. When Cormier met McGregor, he had a totally different view. Cormier said he had always had a cordial relationship with McGregor. During their exchange, he shook his hand as a sign of respect. But Khabib could not understand why he would do that since he is very close with Cormier. Now, Cormier has changed his stance.
“I don’t really know Conor very well, Khabib and Conor were cordial in the beginning also. But it became so nasty that there was that massive build to the fight, the way the fight ended, everything… I saw Conor McGregor in Abu Dhabi, maybe when he was fighting Dustin Poirier. We were shaking hands, talking a little bit, and very kind of chumy. 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…’. And I initially kind of fought it, but 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,” Cormier said
Reaction
What’s wrong with it tho?
He can speak with Conor if he wants to
Khabib ain’t got the right to tell him what to do or what not to do— Heresthethingyouguys (@notdesean2) November 6, 2024
respect that level of loyalty
— Benny Digital (@bennydigital_) November 7, 2024
Dude, Khabib shouldn’t be telling you how to do your job. That’s his beef, not yours.
— Joel Hemingway 🇺🇸🍊 (@JoelTHemingway) November 7, 2024