UFC 229: Conor McGregor v Khabib Nurmagomedov Preview and Predictions

On the 6th October at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Conor McGregor steps back into the octagon for the first time in almost two years, when he takes on Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, in what is being billed as the biggest UFC fight in history. The undefeated Khabib will defend his lightweight title against his predecessor at the summit of the division, in what will be very much a battle of bad blood.  With no love lost between these two, fight fans around the world will be glued to their screens in anticipation of what will be an intriguing clash of contrasting styles. Find out who we are backing for UFC 229 Conor McGregor v Khabib Nurmagomedov with our preview and predictions.

McGregor v Khabib Promo

Conor McGregor’s UFC Past History

Conor McGregor does not do things quietly as we have been accustomed to seeing in recent years. After almost two years away from the octagon, his return fight against the undefeated Russian, is by no means a quiet return.

The last three years have been heady times for the Irishman. Since defeating Chad Mendes at UFC 189 and claiming the UFC Featherweight Championship, he went on to unify the division at UFC 194, when he floored Jose Aldo with a devastating left hook after just 13-seconds.

He then stepped up to welterweight for a big money clash with arch enemy Nate Diaz, a blockbuster match-up that boosted the profile of UFC onto a different level.

McGregor lost the first bout by submission. However, he overturned the result in their second fight with a majority decision over five brutal rounds, that left both of their faces in a rather dismantled state.

The fact that McGregor even agreed to fight someone several weight classes heavier is enough to showcase the courage of Irishman!

His last octagon appearance back in November 2016, cemented his place in history when he stepped up in weight again to dethrone Eddie Alvarez and claim the UFC Lightweight title. The stunning result saw him become the first man in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes.

It was a performance of exceptional power and hand speed by McGregor. He floored Alvarez on a number of occasions before finishing him off in the second round with a four-punch combination that was executed as quickly as most of us can throw one punch!

UFC 229: Khabib vs McGregor – It’s About to Go Down

From The Octagon To The Boxing Ring

A switch from the octagon to the boxing ring then came calling as the Irishman took on Floyd Mayweather in a battle of “UFC v Boxing.” Vegas played host to this gripping clash with the build-up reaching levels of hype that is hard to describe.

The reality is that McGregor was never going to be able to do what 49-professional boxers were unable to do before him. It lasted 10-rounds before Mayweather decided to finish off his opponent.

It was hardly the worst result for McGregor, after all he spent an hour of his life getting his face smashed in on his way to pocketing a cool $100 million!

Being Stripped Of His Title And His Arrest

Since the fight with Mayweather, UFC fans have been waiting with anticipation to see their hero return to the octagon. At one stage it appeared his return may never happen, after he responded to being stripped of his lightweight title by smashing up a fighter’s bus at UFC 223. The incident leading to his arrest in New York.

With the case now settled after the Irishman pleaded guilty and served his punishment, he is free to return to the sport that has given him fame, fortune and millions of followers!

Who Is Khabib Nurmagomedov?

Khabib is a former double gold medal winner at the World Championships in Combat Sambo. He is not only undefeated in the UFC since he joined the franchise in 2012, but undefeated in 10-years of professional MMA.

The Russian is the real deal and has a very strong wrestling background, something that makes the contrasting styles of this fight even more intriguing.

He is the current UFC Lightweight Champion, a title he claimed at UFC 223 in April, when he beat Al Laquinta, for the title that was stripped from McGregor.

Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC Highlights

UFC 229 McGregor v Khabib Fighting Styles

Styles make fights and this one is no exception. McGregor likes to obliterate his opponents on his feet and with his fists. He has lightening quick hand speed and exceptional power to back it up. This is underlined by the fact that 18 of his 21 professional wins have come by knock-out.

Khabib on the other hand has a wrestling background and prefers to do the damage on the canvass. He will be looking to wear McGregor down by regularly looking for the takedown. Most of the time he manages to achieve this in the octagon he gets the submission or the decision.

When, Where And What Time Is UFC 229 McGregor v Nurmagomedov?

McGregor will take on Khabib on Saturday the 6th October 2018 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Their clash for the UFC Lightweight title will headline the main card at UFC 229, in what is being described as the biggest fight in UFC history.

Considering UFC 229 will be taking place in the fight mecca of Vegas, the actual date of the event in Europe will be Sunday the 7th October, the feature fight starting around 6AM CET.

BT Sport has the broadcast rights for all UFC events and will be showcasing UFC 229 including McGregor v Nurmagomedov.

UFC 229 McGregor v Khabib Prediction And Odds

Khabib goes into the fight as 11/20 favourite, with McGregor the attention grabbing bet at 29/20. If the Irishman is going to regain his title, he needs to find a way to deal with the takedown and find a way to get back onto his feet. This attack and strategy will be relentless from Khabib and will wear McGregor down as the fight goes on.

If Khabib gets him on the ground where he wants, you can back him at 14/5 to win by submission, or 7/2 to win by decision.

However, the value certainly lies in backing McGregor. Khabib has the habit of leaving his chin high when he comes in for the takedown. McGregor will look to these occasions to get his hand speed and power flush on his opponent’s chin.

With this in mind look at McGregor to win inside the distance at 17/10, to win in round one at 4/1, to win in round two at 23/4 and to win by KO at 17/10.

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