Conor McGregor made a brief return to social media on Wednesday, quickly reigniting his feud with longtime rival Khabib Nurmagomedov. McGregor accused the retired UFC star of running an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) scheme that exploited Dagestani culture and the legacy of his late father.
Khabib's NFT Project and Subsequent Disappearance
Last weekend, Nurmagomedov promoted a new digital project centered around the papakha, the traditional headpiece he wore during his undefeated UFC career. The drop reportedly consisted of 29,000 NFTs and generated over $4.4 million within a 25-hour period. Following the sale, all posts related to the NFT rollout were quietly removed from his social media platforms without any explanation.
McGregor's Accusations
The unexplained disappearance of the NFT promotion provided McGregor with ammunition. He posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "There is just no way good guy Khabib used his late father’s name, as well as Dagestan’s culture, to scam his fans." He further alleged that Nurmagomedov was "fire selling digital NFTs online and then deleting all the content after they were sold." McGregor concluded his remarks by calling it "what a shame and a stain on his father’s name."
McGregor continued his criticism, asserting, "Father’s plan has now become Father’s scam. Very sad." His timing for these remarks may be linked to his own recent insistence on preparing for a 2025 comeback and his re-entry into the drug-testing pool. The former champion has been teasing a return since the UFC confirmed plans for a White House event in 2026.
Khabib's Response and Defense
Khabib Nurmagomedov responded to McGregor's allegations, denying the accusations and labeling McGregor "an absolute liar." He defended both the NFT project and his family's reputation. Sources close to the launch indicated that the NFT collection was intended as a tribute to his late father, Abdulmanap, and was envisioned as a digital keepsake rather than a speculative investment.
On-Chain Investigator Weighs In
The situation took another turn when on-chain investigator ZachXBT entered the conversation. While not defending Khabib, ZachXBT turned McGregor's own words against him. The investigator reposted McGregor's accusations, providing evidence from McGregor's own 2022 NFT project, "McGregor Realm." This project was launched with considerable fanfare but also quietly disappeared from McGregor's public presence.
"Sound familiar?" the investigator asked, drawing a parallel between the two situations. This exchange instantly revived one of the most intense rivalries in mixed martial arts history.
Market Context and Ongoing Feud
According to NFTPRICEFLOOR data, the global NFT market cap is currently around $3.3 billion, showing a roughly 4% increase over the last 24 hours. The broader cryptocurrency market has also seen a recovery rally, with its total market cap regaining the $3.1 trillion mark and a 24-hour trading volume of $140 million. Bitcoin's price surge above $90,000 has provided some optimism for bulls.
The feud between McGregor and Nurmagomedov has persisted for six years, despite Nurmagomedov's retirement as the undefeated lightweight champion and McGregor's recovery from a career-threatening leg injury. With McGregor signaling a comeback and Nurmagomedov now publicly responding to accusations, their rivalry continues to generate significant attention.