Khabib Nurmagomedov had one of the most successful careers in the UFC, and by 2018, the fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr. was already a thing of the past. By that time, the fighter had already taught the Irishman a lesson, and rumors began swirling about a possible fight against the undefeated boxer.

Dana White offered a significant sum of money, but the undefeated UFC champion refused to take the fight in the ring. That moment made it clear that the Russian wanted nothing to do with Mayweather, and today, that stance has been reaffirmed.

Nurmagomedov calls Mayweather Jr. a "Nobody"

Nurmagomedov retired in 2021 after defeating Justin Gaethje in October 2020, and recently participated in a talk in New York organized by the Miftaah Institute, where he launched a scathing criticism of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The controversy erupted when he was asked about his legacy. “Yesterday, I saw an interview with a guy whose nickname is ‘Money.’ They paid him to fly to Jerusalem. And there he was, talking about how he supports that country. He fought for money. I fought for legacy—because if you inspire people, that’s legacy. But trash people like that guy will never inspire anyone. I apologize for my language,” reads the translation of his response from Russian.

If his criticism wasn’t clear enough, Khabib Nurmagomedov made it even more direct:

“I’m talking about Mayweather. Mayweather,” stated "The Eagle." Addressing how the 48-year-old undefeated boxer prioritizes money over legacy, he said: “I would never do something like that, because I fought for legacy. And when the truth comes, you have to stand on the side of truth. That’s legacy: when you inspire people.”

“We know many champions. They were incredible in the octagon or the ring. We also know footballers. But as human beings, they’re nothing. People see them and don’t even want to talk to them because they’re empty inside. But we also know champions who inspire people, who fought for legacy.”

“And the other guy? Who is he? When he dies, people will forget him. They won’t even want to hear his name. That’s the difference between those who fight for money and those who fight for legacy,” Khabib concluded during the event.