Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Legacy Fuels McGregor’s Next Frenzy: Makhachev vs. McGregor Hype Explodes

Conor McGregor has openly snubbed Justin Gaethje for a welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev-Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protégé-at UFC 329 on July 11, reigniting the UFC’s most explosive rivalry since McGregor’s 2018 feud with Nurmagomedov. The move hands Makhachev a potential path to back-to-back title defenses against Irish fighters, with Ian Machado Garry next at UFC 330 in August.

Why Makhachev Over Gaethje?

McGregor’s team has made clear they’re chasing a welterweight triple crown, not a lightweight return. “Holloway put [Gaethje] face down, ass up,” McGregor said at UFC 329 media day. “I’m not even thinking of it.” The lightweight belt, won by Gaethje at UFC 329, isn’t the target-Makhachev’s welterweight title is.

The Khabib Connection

Makhachev trained under Khabib Nurmagomedov before the UFC. Their fight would revive the McGregor-Nurmagomedov feud’s marketability, a draw the UFC hasn’t matched since 2018. “It’s about as marketable as it gets,” one insider noted. McGregor’s rivalry with Nurmagomedov remains unresolved, and Makhachev’s lineage ties the fight to that legacy.

What’s Next for Makhachev?

If McGregor wins at UFC 329, he’ll face Makhachev next-setting up an all-Irish undisputed title fight if Machado Garry also wins at UFC 330. Makhachev’s current schedule includes defending his belt against Machado Garry on August 16. The welterweight division’s top contenders, Michael Morales and Carlos Prates, remain in play if McGregor doesn’t deliver.

The Full UFC 329 Card

• Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway (welterweight)
• Benoit Saint-Denis vs. Paddy Pimblett (lightweight)
• Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista (bantamweight)
• Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanagh (flyweight)
• Damian Pinas vs. Cesar Almeida (middleweight)

McGregor’s focus on Makhachev suggests he’s betting on legacy over immediate belt opportunities. With Nurmagomedov’s shadow looming, the fight could redefine the welterweight division.