Conor McGregor praised for "elevating" UFC rival Khabib Nurmagomedov
Conor McGregor has been praised for elevating UFC stars Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier to stardom after their fights.
McGregor is by far the UFCs biggest superstar having sold a huge number of pay-per-views since joining the promotion, including for his clash with bitter rival Nurmagomedov in 2018. The showdown remains the highest selling event in UFC history and propelled the Russian's name into the mainstream.
The Irishman has now also fought Poirier three times including in two high-profile meetings in 2021 which ended in defeat on both occasions, but saw both fighters earn lucrative paydays. UFC legend Daniel Cormier has praised McGregor in his role for helping out two of his best friends in the MMA industry.
"He has elevated two of my best friends," Cormier said while interviewing Israel Adesanya on his RC&DC podcast. "Two of the guys that I love, that I appreciate more than anyone. He has elevated Khabib to a megastar, and he has elevated Poirier to a level of stardom that Dustin never could've imagined getting before.
"So not only does he help himself, he helps the guys that he shares the octagon with especially the ones that can beat him. It never felt like his UFC rise was random, he always moved with purpose from the moment he stepped in the UFC. Conor McGregor has headline the most pay-per-view events since 2015, but you just don't sell what he has sold. I didn't sell what he sold.
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"Others just don't have that ability to draw people in like Conor McGregor did. That is what he does, he draws out this thing in people that makes them pay attention. For all the missed steps he has made, Conor McGregor has got everything that he has earned and deserved in the UFC."
Conor McGregor was beaten by Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018 (USA TODAY Sports)Do you agree with Daniel Cormier's statement about Conor McGregor? Let us know in the comments section below
McGregor's rivalry with Nurmagomedov went down as arguably the biggest in the promotion's modern era, given the build-up to the clash and the huge brawl after the final bell. A rematch between the pair is still considered as the biggest that could be made in the octagon, but 'The Eagle' has now retired from the sport.
The 34-year-old previously opened the door to a rematch with his conqueror Nurmagomedov late last year but has since shot it down in flames insisting his rival is avoiding him. He tweeted: "Hey, s**t stain on the game, I’m talking as of now it is beginning to bare fruit. We beat their system of fighting on TUF [The Ultimate Fighter]. It's locked down.
"It’s no wonder s*** pants [Nurmagomedov] scurried. There’s no competing now. The head of the style is too fat a b**** and afraid to compete again. So we win. You can’t compete with us. Watch and witness you rat b******."
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