Ben Askren, in his analysis on the Funky and the Champ podcast with Daniel Cormier, delved into Conor McGregor’s ongoing attacks on Khabib Nurmagomedov, attributing them to underlying feelings of jealousy harbored by the Irish fighter. According to Askren, McGregor’s relentless trash-talk towards Nurmagomedov stems from a sense of envy towards the Dagestani’s status as a highly respected UFC champion.
Askren suggested that despite McGregor’s immense financial success, he lacks the same level of respect from his peers that Nurmagomedov commands. McGregor’s desire to be regarded as the most respected fighting champion on the planet, akin to Nurmagomedov, is what drives his ongoing feud with the Dagestani fighter.
In Askren’s view, McGregor’s jealousy of Nurmagomedov’s reputation as a fighting champion, admired for his lifestyle and conduct both inside and outside the octagon, fuels McGregor’s consistent attacks. Despite McGregor’s financial wealth, he allegedly yearns for the deep respect and admiration that Nurmagomedov garners.
McGregor’s recent criticism of Nurmagomedov regarding alleged tax evasion accusations reignited the feud, with McGregor insinuating that Nurmagomedov’s departure from MMA was an attempt to evade an inevitable defeat.
The longstanding animosity between McGregor and Nurmagomedov originated from an altercation involving Nurmagomedov and McGregor’s friend, Artem Lobov. Nurmagomedov confronted Lobov in a hotel lobby after Lobov made derogatory comments about him, leading to a heated exchange. McGregor retaliated by infamously attacking a UFC fighter bus carrying Nurmagomedov at UFC 223, further escalating tensions between the two fighters.
Ultimately, Askren’s analysis sheds light on the complex dynamics underlying McGregor’s feud with Nurmagomedov, suggesting that jealousy and a desire for respect play significant roles in McGregor’s ongoing animosity towards his Dagestani rival.
