Former UFC Champion Says Conor McGregor Helped Create Peak Khabib Nurmagomedov

Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov (Photo by Imagn Images)

Former UFC Champion Says Conor McGregor Helped Create Peak Khabib Nurmagomedov

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Pavan Sharma | Last updated May 21, 2026 1:56 PM ET

Many fans believe Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov is the biggest rivalry in combat sports history. The fight had real hate, huge drama, and worldwide attention. Kamaru Usman believes every great champion needs a rival people love to watch against them. For him, McGregor was the perfect rival for Khabib, which made the rivalry even bigger.

Usman has spent enough time at the top of the sport to understand what makes champions transcend the sport entirely. His take on Khabib and McGregor is the kind of observation that sounds controversial until you actually think it through.

“Khabib is not Khabib without Conor, we know that. Obviously, he’s talented and how good he was, but you needed that foe and bad guy to get you there,” Usman said.

Kamaru Usman believes Khabib needed Conor McGregor as the “bad guy” to reach his peak.

“Khabib is not Khabib without Conor, we know that. Obviously, he’s talented and how good he was, but you needed that foe and bad guy to get you there.”

(via @pound4poundshow ) pic.twitter.com/BziJyDSxxy
— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) May 21, 2026

The talent case for Khabib Nurmagomedov is already very strong on its own. He retired with a 29-0 record, and many fans believe he barely lost a single round during his UFC career. For many people, he is the most dominant lightweight champion the UFC has ever had. Nobody is taking that away from him.

But Usman’s point operates on a different level than pure skill assessment. Khabib was already elite before McGregor. But the Dagestani became even more famous because of his fight with McGregor. Even people who never watched UFC wanted to see that fight.

Conor McGregor Set To Make His UFC Return Against Max Holloway At UFC 329

Dana White confirmed that McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 will headline UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas. The fight will happen at 170 pounds, and no title will be on the line. This will be McGregor’s first UFC fight in five years after badly hurting his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021. McGregor also beat Holloway by decision back in 2013.

Conor McGregor VS Max Holloway at 170lbs is reportedly being finalized for the MAIN EVENT of UFC329 on July 11th

“An official announcement could come within the week… McGregor is said to be knee-deep in fight camp as he prepares for his return to the octagon”

(Per @nypost) pic.twitter.com/EREQAxpAht
— Combat Casuals (@Combat_Casuals) May 16, 2026

The fighter McGregor beat in 2013 was a 21-year-old prospect still finding himself in the sport. The fighter showing up at T-Mobile Arena is a former two-time featherweight champion. Undoubtedly, he has spent the last decade becoming one of the most technically refined and mentally durable fighters in UFC history.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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