With just one statement, a rising star may have revived the most bitter feud in MMA history. Could this fight actually happen?

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UFC Lightweight Reignites Hopes Of McGregor vs Khabib 2 With A Unique Proposal!

With just one statement, a rising star may have revived the most bitter feud in MMA history. Could this fight actually happen?

The UFC lightweight division is a hotbed of drama, rivalries, and unexpected alliances. Now Brazilian fighter Mauricio Ruffy has thrown a fascinating wrench into the mix by officially inviting Conor McGregor to join his corner for a future title fight against Islam Makhachev. This UFC lightweight reignited the hopes of Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov 2 through a clever backdoor approach that could give the Irishman a taste of revenge against ‘The Eagle’s’ team.

The backstory here runs deep. McGregor and Nurmagomedov’s bitter feud reached its peak at UFC 229 in October 2018, when the Russian submitted the Irishman in the fourth round. That fight generated massive controversy, ending with a post fight brawl that spilled into the crowd and resulted in suspensions for both fighters. Khabib retired undefeated in 2020, leaving many fans wondering if they would ever see a proper resolution to their rivalry. Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev has stepped into Nurmagomedov’s shoes as the division’s dominant champion. He is training under the same team and carrying forward the Dagestan fighting tradition that frustrated McGregor so memorably.

Mauricio Ruffy Has A Bold Vision For Conor McGregor’s Revenge

Mauricio Ruffy isn’t just throwing around empty invitations for attention. The 29 year old Brazilian has been making serious waves in the lightweight division since his UFC debut. He is set to fight Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho. The Brazilian has drawn comparisons to peak McGregor with his striking style and natural charisma. Fresh off a spectacular knockout victory over King Green at UFC 313, Ruffy has openly acknowledged McGregor’s influence on his fighting development. Talking to FullSend MMA, this is what he said,

“Conor McGregor can corner me and get his rematch with Khabib when I fight Islam Makhacev.”

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It must be noted that Ruffy has credited McGregor as the inspiration behind his fighting style. The Brazilian sees his eventual clash with Makhachev as the perfect opportunity for McGregor to get symbolic revenge against the team that ended his lightweight title reign. It’s a clever story that taps into the unresolved tension from that infamous 2018 encounter. The proposal also acknowledges that while a direct McGregor-Khabib rematch seems impossible with the Russian’s retirement, this could provide the next best thing for settling old scores!

McGregor hasn’t publicly responded to Ruffy’s invitation yet, but the timing is interesting given his recent focus on political aspirations in Ireland. The former double champion has been relatively quiet about his fighting future, dealing with various legal issues and presidential aspirations. His last significant UFC victory came in 2020, and subsequent attempts at comebacks have been derailed by injuries and controversies. Ruffy’s invitation could represent a low risk way for McGregor to stay relevant in the sport without actually stepping back into the cage himself.

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Conor McGregor

Islam Makhachev

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Mauricio Ruffy

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!