When it comes to the greatest rivalries in UFC history, Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov stands out as one of the most intense. The bad blood between them didn’t just change their lives—it reshaped the entire sport, pulling in millions of viewers. There’s no question that both fighters are among the best to ever enter the octagon. While the Irishman made history as the first to hold double titles simultaneously, “The Eagle” has an unbelievable record in a sport where everyone eventually falls—Khabib never did, going undefeated.
Meanwhile, when it comes to their fight, Dagestani rocked millions of fans by beating McGregor at UFC 229. At that point, McGregor was at his peak, crushing legends like Nate Diaz, José Aldo, and others in the octagon. McGregor accomplished many things before Khabib did them later. Here’s the list of 5 things McGregor achieved before Khabib in his career.
1) Conor McGregor Became A UFC Champion Before Khabib Nurmagomedov
After dominating Cage Warriors, McGregor caught the UFC’s attention and made his debut in 2013 against Marcus Brimage. By then, Khabib had already fought twice in the UFC. Interestingly, McGregor’s career took off quickly, and he became UFC champion just two years later, in 2015. Notably, despite debuting before McGregor, Khabib didn’t become champion until three years later, in 2018. This shows just how dominant McGregor was in his prime, making big moves in the UFC long before fighting Khabib.
Also Read: 5 Stats That Prove Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov Almost Had Similar UFC Careers
2) Conor McGregor Got Tight With Ronaldo And Other Stars Before Khabib
There’s no doubt McGregor is a star who brought huge fame to the sport. He’s a money generator and crowd-puller, much like Michael Jordan was to the NBA. His superstar status made him a favorite not just among fans but also with big names.
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McGregor became friends with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, and while ‘The Eagle’ was dominant too, his stardom really skyrocketed after his UFC 229 fight. Before that, he was top-tier but didn’t have the massive following he gained from that fight. Later, he also became friends with Zlatan Ibrahimović, Ronaldo, and other celebrities.
Also Read: Which Fights Made Conor McGregor The Biggest UFC Superstar?
3) Taking Down and Defeating Ranked Opponents
As mentioned earlier, McGregor’s rise was fueled by his persona and the skills he brought to the UFC. This combination helped him secure ranked fights early in his career. It wasn’t just his persona—his skills were phenomenal, with only two losses before his fight with Nate Diaz. Meanwhile, the Dagestani’s journey to the top was slower, which allowed McGregor to get all the big fights before him.
4) ‘The Notorious’ Started His Own Business Before ‘The Eagle’
Not just in his UFC career, but as a businessman, The Irishman is far ahead of other UFC stars. His whiskey brand, clubs, pain relief spray, and other ventures have been highly successful, generating significant income. McGregor has partnered with major companies like BKFC and now co-owns the business. It seems he’s learned from other stars, investing wisely before spending carelessly.
Khabib Nurmagomedov started making big moves in 2020 with his Eagle FC promotion, followed by Fitro and M-eat by Khabib. By then, McGregor was already ahead, with a massive business empire including his whiskey brand, clubs, and other ventures. McGregor’s been on top of the business game way before Khabib hit the scene.
Also Read: Why Did Conor McGregor Become More Successful Businessman Than Khabib Nurmagomedov?
5) Conor McGregor Took On TUF Coaching Role Before Khabib Nurmagomedov
Just like his father, Khabib Nurmagomedov became a coach at his Dagestani camp, helping fighters like Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov, Usman Nurmagomedov, Belal Muhammad, and others prepare and become top contenders.
However, coaching in the UFC’s TUF is something McGregor did—something Khabib hasn’t done yet. However, McGregor’s coaching stint was rough, as he lost to Michael Chandler. So, these are the top 5 things McGregor nailed before the Dagestani legend, showing off his business savvy and prime dominance.
Also Read: VIDEO: Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov Trash Talking During UFC 229 With Muted Commentary
