Khabib Nurmagomedov hits back after Conor McGregor attacks UFC lightweight rivals

Irishman says he would 'butcher' Justin Gaethje and described Tony Ferguson as an 'embarrassment', but reserved his strongest insults for his long-time foe

Justin Gaethje lands a shot on Tony Ferguson in their interim lightweight title fight during UFC 249. AFP

Justin Gaethje of the United States celebrates after defeating compatriot Tony Ferguson in their interim lightweight title fight during UFC 249 at VyStar. Getty

Tony Ferguson (red gloves) fights Justin Gaethje during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Getty

Justin Gaethje punches Tony Ferguson in their interim lightweight title fight during UFC 249. AFP

Justin Gaethje lands a blow on Tony Ferguson during their fight at UFC 249. Reuters

Tony Ferguson kicks Justin Gaethje in their interim lightweight title fight during UFC 249. AFP

Justin Gaethje lands a punch on Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. Reuters

Justin Gaethje punches Tony Ferguson in their interim lightweight title fight during UFC 249. AFP

Henry Cejudo, left, of the United States is announced winner over compatriot Dominick Cruz of their bantamweight title fight during UFC 249. AFP

Henry Cejudo, left, fights Dominick Cruz in an all-American fight at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. AFP

Henry Cejudo poses with his bantamweight title belt won at the UFC 249 on Saturday night in Florida. AFP

Jeremy Stephens, right, of the United States fights fellow American Calvin Kattar in their featherweight bout at UFC 249. AFP

Calvin Kattar, left, knocks down Jeremy Stephens at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. AFP

Anthony Pettis, right, kicks Donald Cerrone in their welterweight fight during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. AFP

Members of the media watch the Heavyweight fight between Aleksei Oleinik of Russia and Fabricio Werdum of Brazil during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. AFP

Calvin Kattar punches Jeremy Stephens even as his rival falls at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. AFP

Greg Hardy, right, of the United States punches Yorgan De Castro of Cape Verde in their UFC 249 heavyweight fight. AFP

Anthony Pettis, left, and Donald Cerrone during their welterweight fight in Jacksonville, Florida. AFP

Khabib Nurmagomedov has hit back at Conor McGregor following the controversial Irishman’s Twitter tirade in which he took aim at the entire lightweight division.

McGregor took to social media in a series of posts late on Monday, berating undefeated champion Nurmagomedov, recently crowned interim title-holder Justin Gaethje, his beaten UFC 249 opponent Tony Ferguson, and former challenger Dustin Poirier.

McGregor eventually homed in on Nurmagomedov, whom he lost to in an ill-tempered clash in October 2018, again ridiculing the Dagestan native for withdrawing from last month's original fight with Ferguson.

It did not take long for Nurmagomedov to respond, though, posting on Twitter a picture from their 2018 fight showing McGregor moments before he submitted in the fourth round, with the accompanying caption: “Yes, we remember you, you were so nice that night. Be same, don’t be fake.”

Another post quickly followed, picking up on McGregor denigrating Nurmagomedov’s famed wrestling, in which the champion said: “Hug legs? Have you forgot how I knock you down, or you typing tweets drunk?

“Beat you in striking, parts [sic] you up in wrestling, absolutely destroy you in grappling, made you grab air with your hands, and at the end you gave up. Last one, don’t forget your words ‘It’s only business’.”

McGregor did not spare any of his lightweight rivals, though, singling out Gaethje as his most likely next opponent. The American, 31, was hugely dominant in his career-victory against Ferguson on Sunday in Jacksonville, Florida, winning by TKO in the fifth round.

Gaethje is expected to now face Nurmagomedov in a unification bout later this year, not that McGregor agrees.

“It’s me and Justin next as Khabib is the biggest bottle fighter in the game,” said the former two-division champion, who last fought in January. “Guarantee it.”

McGregor later added that he would “butcher” Gaethje in an expletive-laden post.

As for Ferguson and Poirier, McGregor lambasted his former fellow Paradigm Sports Management client for his display against Gaethje, saying: “I love Tony. We represented him amazingly at Paradigm Sports and were betrayed for a promise of a baseball contract. But frame and preparation here was just embarrassing. His methods and conversation are humorous/enjoyable but he was never the level perceived. Although tough.”

McGregor added: “It is Dustin/Tony next when Tony heals. If he does. Dustin will beat him also if changes are not made. Which they won’t. Dustin, although game, and in the mix, will be fed to the floor again. Couple wins here/there then folded in half. Rinse and repeat - Dustin career.”

Poirier, who hasn't fought competitively since losing to Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi last September, replied: "You have one win at lightweight in the UFC… pipe down".