The bad blood between Conor McGregor’s camp and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team never actually settled. Both sides don’t want to see each other, and fans have witnessed this on multiple occasions. Back at UFC 229 in 2018, the chaos took a serious turn when Khabib jumped the Octagon fence following his victory over McGregor to attack Dillon Danis after getting multiple taunts involving his religion and father.
In another instance that took place at UFC 322 in November 2025, at Madison Square Garden, Danis brawled cageside with Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Magomed Zaynukov, both of Islam Makhachev’s team, moments before the main card. This time, UFC CEO Dana White took serious action and imposed a lifetime ban on Dillon Danis from appearing at cageside.
Now, months later, Danis has once again reignited the rivalry. The 32 years old claimed McGregor’s return may lead a fight to Khabib’s protege, Islam Makhachev, after ‘The Notorious’ beats Max Holloway on July 11 at UFC 329 in Las Vegas at the International Fight week.
McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. Many fans question if the 37-year-old can still compete at an elite level.
Danis insisted those doubts are a mistake. Speaking to MMAFighting, Danis provided a behind-the-scenes look at McGregor’s current training camp. He described a fighter entirely cut off from outside distractions. He said:
He is living in the gym…He’s focused. He is like beyond focus, like, man, I have never seen him this dialed in, like, I mean, I see him this dialed in, but he’s, he’s just It’s a different, different kind of dedication that he has right now, and I think he’s gonna clean max.”
Fans point to McGregor’s five-year layoff as a massive disadvantage against an active fighter like Holloway. Danis rejected the idea of ring rust and called it a mindset issue that will not affect McGregor. He further added:
He is going to hurt Max really badly. I think he’s gonna knockout max, and then it’s going to be him and Islam. So, I don’t think he makes it pass three rounds, maybe two. I think he cleans his jaw.”
If Conor McGregor vs Islam Makhachev happens, it has the potential to change the entire landscape of the UFC. Makhachev carries the dominant Dagestani legacy built by Khabib Nurmagomedov. This fight may have the potential to become the biggest fight in sport history.
McGregor vs Islam Makhachev: Could This Be the Biggest Fight in UFC History?
Conor McGregor stepping into the Octagon against Islam Makhachev would bring the UFC’s most bitter feud full circle. The animosity between McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov boiled over during their 2018 post-fight brawl involving Dillon Danis. Later, in November 2025, the brawl again broke out involving Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Magomed Zaynukov.
Danis claimed a knockout win over Max Holloway this July will launch McGregor directly into a superfight against Nurmagomedov’s top protégé. Makhachev currently rules the UFC welterweight division after capturing the belt late last year by defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.
Islam holds a massive 16-fight win streak. Defending his welterweight crown against McGregor would achieve exactly that. It would give the Dagestani champion the chance to permanently settle the bad blood between the two camps once and for all.
Makhachev has openly discussed retirement recently. He insisted he only wants opponents who add absolute value to his resume and is leaning more towards the legacy fights.
Speaking to Red Corner MMA, the Welterweight Champion said:
If we pick between Morales and Ian, to be honest with you, in terms of my legacy I would go with Morales because he is still undefeated.”
Arman Tsarukyan also said in April 2026 that Makhachev has one or two fights remaining. As of now, Makhachev is expected to face Ian Machado Garry next, with that fight rumored to be headlining UFC 330 in August, but the confirmation is yet to be made by Dana White.
Once the dust is settled and the matchup materializes, and if Makhachev comes through victorious, the door could open for the blockbuster showdown.
McGregor brings the highest pay-per-view numbers in combat sports. He built a historical legacy as the promotion’s first simultaneous two-weight champion. If McGregor stops Holloway this summer, the promotion will rush to book the Makhachev fight. It would give McGregor a chance at an unprecedented third division title while handing Makhachev the ultimate fight to cement his status as an all-time great.
