UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev said Conor McGregor could complete his remaining contract fight before leaving the promotion and pursuing a more lucrative opportunity elsewhere.
In an MMA Junkie interview cited by the supplied report, Makhachev predicted that McGregor could move into boxing. He also made an unsubstantiated personal allegation that the Irish fighter had spent money on drugs and alcohol.
Makhachev offered no evidence to support that allegation. His comments continued a long-running rivalry between McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team.
McGregor announced plans for surgery after injuring his right knee against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. Holloway won by technical knockout 69 seconds into their July 11 main event at T-Mobile Arena.
Reports said McGregor sustained injuries to his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus. The former two-division champion has said he intends to recover and fulfil the final fight on his UFC contract.
Read: Islam Makhachev Dominates Jack Della Maddalena to Claim UFC Welterweight Title
Despite his criticism, Makhachev separately said he felt sympathy for McGregor because the injury ended his first fight in five years almost immediately. He had wanted to assess McGregor’s performance after the long absence.
Read: Conor McGregor’s Injury Ends UFC 329 Return in 69 Seconds
Makhachev will defend his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia on August 15 local time, or August 16 in Pakistan. The fight will headline the event at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
