'I can see things changing for Conor McGregor after I embarrassed him'

Khabib Nurmagomedov insists his former UFC foe Conor McGregor has an opportunity to transform his lifestyle, almost seven years after "humbling" him in the octagon.

McGregor, 37, once ruled mixed martial arts as a two-weight UFC champion. Four years have passed since his last octagon appearance, when he suffered a broken leg in his loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

During his absence from MMA, McGregor's achievements have been overshadowed by legal battles. The Dubliner recently failed in his appeal against a civil court decision that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2018. Former UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov was previously involved in a fierce rivalry with McGregor, yet he hasn't abandoned hope that his long-time adversary can make a comeback.

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"I don't want to mention his name," Nurmagomedov told the Irish Independent. "This is punishment, this is punishment. And he keeps doing this, keeps doing this, keeps doing this. Everything that happened.

"But the most beautiful part of this [is] Allah always gives for us – it doesn't matter, anybody, everybody – a chance to come back. Always, in this world, a chance to come back.

"This is the most beautiful thing. It doesn't matter how you're bad, Allah is going to give you a chance to always come back. I think he has a chance, and he has to change the way how he's living.

"Why am I talking about this? If he's going to change, he can change with him so many lives, too. And that's why I wish him to change himself."

Nurmagomedov's positivity about McGregor's potential for change starkly contrasts with their bitter rivalry back in 2018. During the lead-up to their UFC 229 title clash, McGregor infamously hurled a dolly at a bus carrying Nurmagomedov and other fighters, resulting in community service and anger management for the Irishman.

Ahead of their fight, Nurmagomedov made his intentions clear: "I'm going to change his face. I'm going to smash him," he said. "I want to make him humble. I want to show people his weakness. I want to make him give up. I want to embarrass him."

Nurmagomedov backed up his pre-fight comments by submitting McGregor and defending his lightweight title. The animosity didn't end in the octagon as a post-fight brawl erupted between the two camps.

Even after defeating McGregor, Nurmagomedov's disdain for his opponent was evident. "I told you I was going to smash your boy. I humbled him," he said.

However, Nurmagomedov's latest statements indicate a significant shift in perspective since retiring in 2020 with an impeccable 29-0 record. It seems the 36-year-old's views on McGregor have mellowed during his retirement.

McGregor has hinted at a possible foray into politics, expressing aspirations to run for the Irish Presidency. Meanwhile, he is also keeping the door open for a UFC return.

McGregor has recently rejoined the UFC's drug-testing pool and expressed his wish to compete at a potential event hosted at the White House. The 37-year-old was set to face Michael Chandler last year, but the bout was called off due to injury.