Conor McGregor ‘impossible to respect as a person’, claims UFC star Khamzat Chimaev

McGregor’s actions outside the octagon have tainted his reputation

Sarah Rendell
Thursday 28 October 2021 15:28 BST
Comments
Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

UFC fighter Conor McGregor is “impossible to respect as a person” due to his antics outside of the octagon, according to up and coming star Khamzat Chimaev.

Among many controversies that McGregor has been embroiled in is a recent accusation of punching a DJ while visiting Rome. And while Chimaev has nothing but admiration for what the Irish fighter has done in the sport, his actions outside of it have clouded over the glory.

He told Zuba TV: “Yes, he achieved everything in the UFC – he was a champion in two weight classes. This I respect with him. But it is impossible to respect him as a person.”

McGregor’s recent record in the octagon isn’t sparkling, losing his trilogy bout to Dustin Poirier, but it’s a different story for Chimaev. He burst onto the UFC scene last year and he won his opening three fights.

However, he contracted Covid which led to him temporarily retiring from the sport. Now back in the UFC he is expected to fight Li Jingliang at UFC 267 on 30 October and he has said he will make his name known once again.

“I don’t think these guys want to fight with me after this fight. They’re gonna start to be scared again, complain ‘he didn’t fight some of these good guys, blah blah blah,’ things like that. We will see what happens after this fight.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in