If there’s one thing Conor McGregor is famous for apart from fighting, it’s talking trash. However, the Irishman can have surprising qualities as well. The fighter has long feuded with Khabib Nurmagomedov inside and outside of the cage. So, it was only reasonable for the world to be shocked when he praised Nurmagomedov’s protégé.

That’s right, ‘The Notorious’ had surprisingly uplifting words for Islam Makhachev. This was earlier this year when the battle of the pound-for-pounds ensued. Alexander Volkanovski went toe-to-toe with Makhachev, and the battle wasn’t as one-sided as some may have assumed. So much so that it was a pleasant surprise even for the former lightweight champion.

Conor McGregor showers Islam Makhachev with praise after fight at UFC 284

McGregor looked like he was in a great mood, to say the least. His unusually positive, sunny outlook on X (formerly Twitter) took fans by surprise. The fight was brutal and Volkanovski almost became a multi-divisional champ that day. Being entertained may have made McGregor euphoric.

“That was a great fight last night lads! No loser there just winners. The Ozzie and the Ozzie’s showed out and I fu*king loved seeing it! Perth looks fu*king tasty too, now I see why so many Irish are there. I should’ve went out; former titles on the line. Congrats all at @ufc.”

That was what the former champ tweeted out. The fight went down in front of a massive Australian crowd on February 12, 2023. Of course, things were exciting. The featherweight champion, Volkanovski, was looking for a challenge. And Makhachev was just that. After battling and grappling for five rounds, the decision win was handed over to the Dagestani warrior. However, some fans still believe that it was a very close call.

Why was it interesting to see McGregor praise Islam?

Not only does ‘The Notorious’ trash talk a lot, he trash talks Khabib Nurmagomedov a lot. Or at least, he used to. After Nurmagomedov retired, his dear friend took over the lightweight division by storm. ‘The Eagle’ was always by Makhachev’s side, guiding him into great positions as he fought.

Also Read: After Almost Beating the Brakes off Khabib’s Successor, Reality of Islam Makhachev’s Wrestling Laid Bare by Alexander Volkanovski

The last time McGregor fought Nurmagomedov, he lost, and he lost badly in front of a massive Irish crowd. Khabib’s famous words, “let’s talk now,” still echo all over social media in the famous clip of him pummeling McGregor as he says it. It’s easy to say that there might still be some bad blood between the two. However, seeing McGregor be less notorious this time warmed the hearts of fans. Do you think a fight between ‘The Notorious’ and Makhachev is possible now? Will he still praise him then? Let us know in the comments.

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