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Khabib Lives Rent Free In McGregor’s Head

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated May 24, 2025 11:25 AM ET

Khabib Nurmagomedov continues to live rent-free in Conor McGregor’s head, as he revealed how he spent the money from his fight purse.

The UFC 228 main event between Khabib and McGregor in 2018 remains the highest-selling pay-per-view in UFC history, doing 2.4 million buys. Reports indicate Khabib took home a guaranteed $2 million, as he submitted McGregor in the fourth round. Dana White also revealed that Khabib was given property by the Russian government to mark the significance of his win.

That may have also been in part the reason why Khabib never returned to the sport since he is financially secure, even if he did promise his mother he would not fight after his father’s passing. McGregor did troll Khabib after reports he had tax issues with the Russian government, something which later got resolved.

Now, Khabib has gotten his own back. He revealed that he invested a part of his earnings into building a training facility in Dagestan to help train fighters such as Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Usman Nurmagomedov. The facility is 6,000 feet above altitude as Khabib looks to develop the next generation of stars.

Khabib Trolls McGregor

“Flew to America, took part in the biggest confrontation in the history of martial arts. Beat up someone who I didn’t like and they even paid me for it. Upon arrival home, I invested it in this beautiful corner of Dagestan. This training base has an interesting history,” Khabib said

Elsewhere, Khabib isn’t happy with Islam Makhachev’s hobby of dirtbike riding. The two are training partners, having grown up together under the guidance of Khabib’s late father, Abdulmanap. Makhachev recently vacated his lightweight title to prepare to move up to welterweight in the hope of facing off against the champion Jack Della Maddalena after four successful defenses.

“You are not Volk. I will show you [a] different level. Keep my belt clean. Time to become a double champion #inshaAllah. Let’s go,” Makhachev said

Khabib has taken on more of a coaching and leadership role since his retirement, preparing Islam for his biggest fights. Khabib has a strict approach to preparation, and dangerous extracurriculars like Enduro (dirtbike riding) are off the list. Islam’s following picture shows him focusing on Enduro. Khabib jumped into the comments with the following: “This is not allowed.”

Khabib has ultimately created a legacy outside of his fight career by helping the next generation of fighters. While McGregor is a two-weight world champion, his career has never been the same after the Khabib loss. He may still have two fights left on his UFC deal, but unfortunately, the final stages of his career show a mass decline.

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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