McGregor will challenge the undefeated Nurmagomedov for the 155-pound title he was stripped of in April early on Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 229.
The pair’s eagerly-anticipated showdown has been nearly two years in the making and is shaping up to be the biggest fight in UFC history.
Tensions have been running high ever since the announcement of the fight and it reached new levels at the first pre-fight press conference in New York, where McGregor took aim at Nurmagomedov’s father and claimed he would’ve killed him had he got off the bus he attacked at the UFC 223 media day in New York.
The pair were meant to face-off with one another again last night at the final pre-fight conference at Las Vegas’ Park Theater.
However, their penultimate showdown didn’t happen as Nurmagomedov left the venue early, a decision which was prompted by McGregor being late.
‘The Notorious’ was quick to mock his opponent’s early exit, claiming he was ‘petrified’ to face him.
And the former UFC lightweight champion then proceeded to promise to end the Russian’s brief tenure as champion by separating him from consciousness.
“I’ve been grappling and wrestling much heavier men (than him) this whole camp. 200-pounders,” McGregor said when asked about Nurmagomedov’s wrestling. “Even yesterday, 200-pounders for 25 minutes straight.
“I have cut no corners. I am ready for all outcomes,” McGregor said. “I feel once hit him, he’s going to turn weak. I expect panic in him early.
“But we are prepared for every outcome. I also don’t give a b*****s. I’ve experienced it all. I’ve got tired in there, I’ve been on my back in there.
“I’ve been in every scenario you can be in under the brightest lights in the entire world. I am a veteran. So I’m going to go out there and do what I’m here for, to enjoy it. I am here to enjoy this.
“Because this is what I love. I’m going to come out fast from the bell, pressure him and, like I said, send that man’s nose into the nosebleeds.”
UFC 229 Fight Card
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Conor McGregor (lightweight title fight)
Tony Ferguson vs Anthony Pettis (lightweight bout)
Ovince Saint Preux vs Dominick Reyes (light-heavyweight bout)
Derrick Lewis vs Alexander Volkov (heavyweight bout)
Michelle Waterson vs Felice Herring (women’s strawweight bout)
Prelims
Sergio Pettis vs Jussier Formica (men’s flyweight bout)
Scott Holtzman vs Alan Patrick (lightweight bout)
Ryan LaFlare vs Tony Martin (welterweight bout)
Lina Lansberg vs Yana Kunitskaya (women’s bantamweight bout)
Gray Maynard vs Nik Lentz (lightweight bout)
Aspen Ladd vs Tonya Evinger (women’s bantamweight bout)