UFC 229 was one of those rare moments when we saw Khabib Nurmagomedov break away from his usual stoic demeanor. The man himself admitted he became “very emotional” during that fight against Conor McGregor, something he considers to be a “mistake.”
“The Eagle” also said he felt a sense of disappointment during the bout itself, particularly when “The Notorious” told him that all the pre-fight hype was “only business.” Thinking he would be in there against a “mentally tougher” opponent, Khabib was left feeling “empty.”
“I was preparing so hard,” the retired undefeated former champion recently told Henry Cejudo and Mike Tyson in the latter’s Hotboxin’ podcast.