McGregor will challenge Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title he was stripped of in April in the main event of UFC 229 in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Nurmagomedov vs McGregor is a fight which has been two years in the making and is undoubtedly the biggest bout in UFC history.
The bad blood between the pair reached new levels at the UFC 223 media day in New York, where McGregor attacked a bus carrying the lightweight champion.
The 15-pounders were meant to face-off on Thursday night at the final pre-fight press conference at Las Vegas’ Park Theater but didn’t as McGregor was late and Nurmagomedov opted not to wait for him.
But they faced off with one another for the last time before they’ll see each other in the Octagon earlier this morning at the ceremonial weigh-ins, which took place at a packed T-Mobile Arena.
And after coming inches away Nurmagomedov, McGregor attempted to knock off the Russian’s famous hat.
A brief melee soon ensued, in which McGregor – 21- 3 – tried to kick his successor at the summit of the lightweight division.
UFC president Dana White and the security on stage managed to prevent a brawl from breaking out, but they had to work hard to do so.
McGregor addressed his legion of fans in the audience after his altercation with ‘The Eagle’, telling UFC commentator Joe Rogan: “Don’t let that smelly rat put that hat on your head, Joe.
“The smell of that thing. Don’t let him put that hat on your head. It’s good to be back. UFC fans, it’s good to be f***ing back! The king is home.”
Nurmagomedov responded by saying: “Tomorrow night, I’m going to smash your boy, guys. I’m going to smash your boy.
“And I want to say thank you to all Irish fans, all fans around the world. Because of you guys, this fight happen.
“Thank you, guys. And tomorrow night, inshallah, ‘and still.'”
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)