Conor McGregor is the biggest star mixed martial arts has produced, and Steiny from the Nelk Boys just asked him the Dagestan question everyone wanted answered. Ahead of his UFC 329 return against Max Holloway in July 2026, the former two-division UFC champion sat down for the Full Send Podcast, where Steiny jokingly asked whether he would spend two or three years training in Dagestan, referencing Islam Makhachev's famous quote. McGregor laughed and immediately shut it down, saying I wouldn't, I'll tell you that now, while insisting he actually has many fans in Dagestan and plenty of Russian fans too. The rivalry with Khabib and his proteges has fueled years of tension. Known for explosive left-hand power and relentless trash talk, McGregor remains one of combat sports' sharpest wits. #conormcgregor #nelk #mma #funny #viral
Conor McGregor has no plans to relocate to Dagestan as he prepares for his return at UFC 329 against Max Holloway in July 2026. The former two-division UFC champion made that clear during an appearance on the Full Send Podcast.
Nelk Boys co-host Steiny jokingly asked McGregor whether he would spend two or three years training in Dagestan, a nod to a famous quote from Islam Makhachev. McGregor laughed and shut the idea down immediately, saying he wouldn't and wanted to make that clear now. He added that he has many fans in Dagestan, along with plenty of Russian fans.
The exchange touches a long-running sore spot. McGregor's rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov and his proteges has fueled years of tension in the sport.
The fighters
McGregor, 38, carries a record of 22-7-0 and fights out of SBG Ireland. The Irish southpaw is known for explosive left-hand power, landing 5.27 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy. He stands five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach.
Holloway, 34, is 28-9-0 and ranks fourth in the lightweight division, with a ninth-place standing in the pound-for-pound list. The American from Gracie Technics is an orthodox striker who lands 6.92 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. He stands five-foot-eleven with a 69-inch reach.
Why it matters
- McGregor's return fight is set for UFC 329 in July 2026, and his comments show he is already engaging with the sport's biggest storylines.
- The matchup pits McGregor's left-hand power against Holloway's higher output, with Holloway's volume well ahead of McGregor's on a per-minute basis.
- Holloway holds a top-five lightweight ranking, giving the bout clear divisional weight.
- The Dagestan remarks show the Makhachev and Nurmagomedov camps still loom large in McGregor's public persona.
