Conor McGregor reveals ‘honest’ feelings about Khabib Nurmagomedov and teases Nate Diaz trilogy fight

Conor McGregor has given old rival Khabib Nurmagomedov rare praise, calling him ‘a phenomenal grappler fighter’.

Khabib announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following his win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 last month.

The Eagle beat McGregor via submission at UFC 229 in November 2018 and the pair have shared an intense rivalry ever since.

However, McGregor was full of praise for his former foe in a Q&A session on Twitter over the weekend.

Asked for his honest opinion on Khabib, he said: “A phenomenal grappler fighter.

“The current best in the sport with it. I’ve the answer however and they know it.”

UFC president Dana White, meanwhile, believes Khabib could come out of retirement to make it 30-0.

He said: “He was super emotional after that fight and you know he got the measles, the mumps, whatever he got.

“Then he broke his toe leading into that fight, took the fight, and with the passing of his father I just think he was super emotional and was just in the moment that night.

“I am not saying that he is going to 100 per cent come out for 30-0, but I get the feeling that he will.”

McGregor also retired from mixed martial arts earlier this year, but is expected to reverse that decision and looks set to seal his return to the octagon with a fight against Dustin Poirier.

But The Notorious also has his eyes on a trilogy clash with Nate Diaz.

Asked for a ‘word’ about Diaz, he said: “Excellent fighter! The trilogy will be of epic proportions when it goes down.

“Nathan, and his fighting styles, are never far from my thoughts throughout my own practices. When it happens, I’m ready.”