The insane Khabib story that will have McGregor shaking in his boots

A UFC veteran has recounted a truly frightening story about Khabib Nurmagomedov, that will surely have Conor McGregor worried.

Former UFC heavyweight star Chael Sonnen told the story on his podcast ‘You’re Welcome’, explaining the scene from one of the Russian wrestler’s training camps, ahead of his mega-fight with McGregor at UFC 229 in October.

“My coach Fabiano Scherner, was in New York a week ago for PFL [Professional Fighters League]… Khabib was out there, Khabib was cornering somebody,” Sonnen said.

“Khabib did a workout in the backroom, and my coach sat and watched it.

“And he said, ‘Khabib didn’t have these master submissions or things you haven’t seen before; it was all pretty straight forward.

“He said: ‘But, he had a pressure.’

“First let me tell you what the workout was. Khabib comes in — he’s got 5 guys.

“What the workout is going to be is 1 by 1, Khabib is going to work out with each guy until each guy gives up.

“Once the guy’s had enough, reaches a level of exhaustion, he’s done and the next guy comes in.

“My coach said the workout was 90 minutes; the first guy was the most talented guy, made it 20. 20 minutes. Then the guy goes, ‘I’m done. I’ve got nothing left to offer you.’

“Great. Khabib stays, new guy comes in.

“Guy No.2 comes in for 15 minutes or so, guy No. 3 comes in for 15 minutes or so, guy No.4 comes in …. So when it was done, Khabib was standing up, and all five guys were lying down; just from exhaustion.

“He didn’t hurt them, it was a grappling workout. He didn’t hurt these guys; he just put a pace on them.”

Truly scary stuff, even scarier for a fighter like McGregor who’s never excelled on the floor.

The Irishman will certainly be hoping to keep the middleweight champion an arm’s length away, where he can capitalise on his superior striking skills.

If Nurmagomedov does get McGregor to the ground, he will likely extend his incredible 26-0 record in the UFC.