McGregor is hoping a win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 can catapult him into a rematch against Nurmagomedov, who called time on his career last year.
The Dagestan native has said he will fight again - but only if one of his lightweight rivals impresses him at Fight Island this weekend. 'The Eagle' retired as undefeated lightweight champion after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, having promised his mother he wouldn't fight again following the death of his father.
And McGregor's coach John Kavanagh said he was dejected by Nurmagomedov's decision - but only because McGregor wants another shot at him.
Asked if he was sad about Nurmagomedov hanging up his gloves, Kavanagh told The Sun : "Yeah, of course. "He was the undefeated UFC lightweight.
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