Loyalty is everything for Khabib Nurmagomedov, and it rubs off on the people closest to him.
The UFC Hall-of-Famer and former lightweight champion has forged a strong relationship with fellow HOFer and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier.
Because of the bond between the two all-time greats, Nurmagomedov keeps his distance from Cormier’s biggest rival, Jon Jones. Nurmagomedov told the media that Jones could not be his friend because Cormier was in conflict with him.
Cormier has learned to do the same with Nurmagomedov’s most bitter foe, Conor McGregor.
Cormier addressed the situation in a recent video on his YouTube channel.
“I don’t try to request McGregor for interviews,” Cormier said as he addressed Nurmagomedov’s recent comments towards Jones and explained the depth of their friendship. “I don’t think that I would get him, but I’m just saying it’s not a request I make every time I’m there. But this is like, par for the course for these dudes. Because honestly, Khabib’s not just a teammate. He’s family. And they’re like that with everyone and they feel like if someone’s in conflict, especially at the level that Jones and I were in conflict, they’re very stern in the side they pick. And it’s kind of refreshing because most people aren’t like that guys. They’re just not, especially us, as Americans. So, watching that, that wasn’t crazy for me. Dude, he really is the man. Khabib is the man. He’s got to be one of the most genuine human I’ve ever met.”
You can watch the entire video below.
Quite honestly, Nurmagomedov’s loyalty is an admirable trait. Many of us would hope to find it in the people we call our friends. What was also refreshing in the concept is that Nurmagomedov did not allow his loyalty to lead to disrespect.
He acknowledged Jones’ greatness and pointed to the issues between Bones and Cormier as the singular factor that would prevent him from befriending the former. That simplicity has amazing depth and has inspired Cormier, who admitted he once ran afoul of the unwritten rule when he shook hands with McGregor in Abu Dhabi.
Cormier understood and pivoted with his behavior toward McGregor. While on a personal level, it is admirable, on a professional level, it may cause a problem for Cormier if McGregor ever returns to the Octagon.
If McGregor fights again, no matter how the fight ends, there will be a post-fight interview. Because of the money McGregor can command, there is a chance he could return to action on a card in Saudi Arabia that is financially supported by the country’s strong push toward combat sports.
If the fight is in Saudi Arabia or back in Abu Dhabi, there is a good chance Joe Rogan will not be present. He has sworn off attending events outside of the United States. If Cormier is present and tasked with interviewing McGregor, the situation could get dicey.
We may never see those scenarios come to fruition, considering McGregor is embroiled in a legal matter and hasn’t looked like a fighter heading back to the Octagon soon.
However, if we find ourselves in that position during a UFC PPV, all eyes will be on the interaction.
