Daniel Cormier recollects Khabib being upset at him over Conor McGregor

Daniel Cormier values Khabib Nurmagomedov’s loyalty.

Former UFC champions Cormier and Nurmagomedov spent years coaching collectively at American Kickboxing Academy. All through their careers, each partook in two of the most important rivalries in UFC historical past.

Cormier and Jon Jones’ unhealthy blood was nicely documented, and “DC” nonetheless doesn’t see a world the place they will utterly bury the hatchet. Jones heaped reward on Nurmagomedov, and included him in his prime 5 biggest fighters listing.

Nurmagomedov respects Jones’ achievements, however stated he can’t be buddies with him due to his battle with Cormier (h/t Bloody Elbow). Upon listening to that, Cormier understood simply why Nurmagomedov wasn’t pleased with him as soon as having a pleasant encounter together with his arch rival Conor McGregor.

“We as People, we as a tradition, we don’t abide by those self same guidelines on a regular basis,” Cormier stated on his YouTube channel. “If you’re in such an excellent battle with somebody, as my good friend, we as People might not see the necessity to sort of fall in line and really feel or function in the identical method. Conor McGregor, who I met again within the day – he was at a few fights, and we’ve all the time been cordial with one another. I don’t actually know Conor very nicely. Khabib and Conor had been cordial at first, additionally, but it surely grew to become so nasty now that there was that large construct to the combat, the way in which the combat ended, every part.

“I noticed Conor McGregor in Abu Dhabi. I don’t know who he was preventing – possibly it was Dustin Poirier. We had been shaking palms, and we had been speaking just a little bit, and had been very sort of chummy. And Khabib was like, ‘Brother, I don’t perceive this.’ He stated, ‘If I see Conor together with his spouse, I’ll shake his hand as a result of that’s what you’re imagined to do, however brother …’ And I initially sort of fought it, however individuals near me stated, “He’s proper. Take a look at the stance he’s taken with regard to everybody you take care of. Why on this planet would you not take that very same stance?’”

Since then, Cormier says he’s taken Nurmagomedov’s phrases into regard and has modified his angle towards McGregor.

“I don’t attempt to request McGregor for interviews,” Cormier continued. “I don’t assume that I’d get him, however I’m simply saying it’s not a request I make each time I’m there. Nevertheless it’s like par for the course for these dudes as a result of actually, Khabib’s not only a teammate, he’s household, and so they’re like that with everybody.

“They usually really feel like if somebody’s in battle, particularly on the degree that Jones and I had been in battle, they’re very stern within the facet they decide, and it’s sort of refreshing as a result of most individuals aren’t like that, guys. They’re simply not – particularly us as People. So watching that wasn’t loopy for me. Dude, he actually is the person. Khabib is the person. He’s acquired to be one of the vital real people I’ve ever met, and I don’t know if there’s something I wouldn’t do for this dude.”