“Now Conor is in a binge”: Makhachev about McGregor’s poor form, Nurmagomedov’s endurance and possible fight with Lee

- On Saturday in Moscow the UFC Fight Night 163 tournament will be held . Who are you going to support on it?

- All Russian fighters. At the capital's show, a very interesting composition of participants was selected. Strong card.

- In Moscow, the first duel between the two Russians under the auspices of the UFC will take place - Rustam Khabilov will fight with Sergey Khandozhko. What are the expectations from a historical event?

- I will be in the corner of Rustam, second him. But overall there is nothing special about this. During a performance in domestic promotions, we often fought among themselves: Muscovites fought with Dagestanis, sometimes representatives of one city or region met among themselves. After the fight, they will shake hands.

“As Khandozhko admitted, they didn’t communicate with Khabilov and only crossed a couple of times in the hall ...”

- Here they get to know each other.

- Why is there an opinion in Russia that domestic fighters should not fight each other in the USA?

- I think this refers to the time when the Russians only debuted at the UFC. There were few of them, so I did not want to conduct battles among themselves. Now everything is different. There are many domestic athletes in the promotion, so sometimes you have to fight with each other. In some divisions, they are forced to compete with each other. In addition, no one likes to give up fights.

- At the UFC 244 tournament , Kevin Lee defeated Gregor Gillespie and broke off his losing streak, after which there were rumors about your possible meeting in the octagon. How interesting is this opponent to you?

“Ready to fight Lee anytime, anywhere.” Even if the UFC says that for the sake of this fight I need to wait three to four months, I’m ready to go for it. If he needs rest after the previous battle, he is ready to provide it. I will sign the contract without hesitation.

- What is the reason for your interest in the fight with Lee?

- He repeatedly challenged me. He remembered about me after the victory over Gillespie.

- Lee said that he would like to meet with you in Russia. Ready to take this fight?

- He repeatedly said that I did not want to fight at home. Here you feel excessive responsibility. This puts a lot of pressure. But for Lee’s sake, I’m ready to make an exception. I can fight him anywhere - in the USA, Russia, Australia or Brazil.

- Earlier, the American has repeatedly boasted of his level of wrestling skills. In particular, he said that he surpasses even Khabib Nurmagomedov in this aspect. Do you agree?

- Lee is one of the best wrestling experts in the light weight category. However, he did not see him often demonstrate his skills in battles. As for Habib, this is just chatter. Suffice it to recall that in the last five battles, the American lost three times.

- Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov recently said that if Conor McGregor wants to fight with Khabib, then the first thing he needs to get the better of you. Would you like to fight the Irish?

- Sure. Even representatives of heavy weight regularly express a desire to meet with him. I'm interested in a duel with Conor. First of all, he is a good fighter, and a victory over him can help break into the top of the lightweight division. In addition, for this fight you can make very good money.

“In your opinion, MacGregor remains as formidable as it was three years ago?”

“I don't think so.” Conor is now in a binge. It is unlikely that he is the same as before.

- McGregor's speech at a press conference in Moscow caused a serious resonance. He spoke harshly about both Nurmagomedov and Dagestan. How did you react to this?

- I admit, in anticipation of the fight between Habib and Conor, I took all the Irishman’s statements very seriously. After he was beaten, it became much easier to relate to this. Now Conor is chatting only so that he is not forgotten.

“How does Habib react to Conor’s similar attacks?”

- In a similar manner. He does not pay attention to it. He realizes that he has already beaten him and is not going to return to that story again. Habib is much easier on Conor's words. Remembering their press conferences before the battle, I think that in the place of Nurmagomedov he could not restrain himself.

- Habib has repeatedly said that in a few years he plans to hang gloves on a nail and leave the lightweight champion title. Ready to become his heir?

- Ideally, it would be a fight for the belt after the departure of Habib. I plan to get to the title fight, no matter how hard it may be.