3 reasons why Conor McGregor could lose to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229

Conor McGregor is one of the best fighters in the history of the UFC, if for no other reason, it's his ability to attract an enormous amount of attention to his fights.

He makes each of his Mixed Martial Arts fights in UFC seem like the biggest thing to have ever happened in the sport. He is returning to the Octagon after a 2 year hiatus, which is a long time to be away from MMA.

However, during those 2 years, he has faced one of the best fighters in the world, and made his own place in the world of Boxing, although he did end up losing to Floyd 'Money' Mayweather.

With his return now only days away, this fight has proven to be one that fans are most excited to see, it's possibly the most anticipated fight of the year so far.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is one who is yet to be defeated, and he holds the UFC Lightweight Championship, a title that Conor never lost to begin with. Fans expect a lot from McGregor, but handing Khabib his first ever loss may be one expectation too much for the Irish fighter.

With that in mind, here are three ways Conor McGregor could lose against Khabib Nurmagomedov.

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#1 A lucky shot

One accidental move from Conor is all it will take for him to lose his title shot

Mixed Martial Arts is a lot about skill, but in this combat sport, along with skill there is a huge element of luck as well. One false step, one slip on the sweaty mat, one trip, and that' all your opponent needs to jump on you, and finish you before you have a single moment to react.

Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov are both spectacular fighters in the Octagon. They are honed to take advantage of the slightest weakness in their opponents, and prove that they are the better fighter once and for all.

One accidental move from Conor is all it will take for him to lose his title shot, and leave Khabib with a big smile on his face, and the biggest victory of his career.

#2 Khabib's sharpness

Conor's ring rust may account for a loss

Whatever may be the case for the skills of Conor McGregor and Floyd 'Money' Mayweather, the preparation they took for their fight last year, and with the show they put on, it was an amazing display of their level as fighters.

While Conor will have picked up some tips in preparing for the boxing bout, when it comes to Mixed Martial Arts, he has not had a single fight during the last two years.

This will account for a lot of rust on his part, and his re-entry into the Octagon may not be the swiftest one. Since his first fight back is against a fighter at his peak, McGregor will face a difficult time, and his ring rust may account for a loss.

#3 The Wrestling

Khabib could go for the needed locks and submissions which he so specialises in

Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov are two very differently skilled fighters, and their areas of specialisation vary widely when it comes to what they can do inside the Octagon.

The two fighters have not seen each other in the best way for the longest time due to their differences outside the Octagon, which even saw Conor end up on the wrong side of the law.

When they enter the Octagon, McGregor's usual striking offence is something that is difficult to avoid. However, Khabib is no slouch, and he will have trained specifically for that sort of offence from his opponent.

If he manages to avoid the left hand and the strikes of McGregor, tiring him out in the process, then he could go for the needed locks and submissions which he so specialises in, taking the fight to the ground.