5 current UFC rivalries that could match Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov beef

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor's UFC rivalry has been one for the ages. Nurmagomedov retired from MMA in October 2020, whereas McGregor hasn't competed in the sport since his leg injury in July 2021.

They clashed inside the octagon in October 2018. Nurmagomedov emerged victorious via submission and even attacked McGregor's cornermen, leading to their infamous post-fight brawl. Their rivalry persists!

Feuds like that add an extra layer of intrigue to the professional combat sports realm. Presently, the world's premier MMA organization, UFC, does have a few notable rivalries that could match the Nurmagomedov-McGregor beef's intensity.

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#5. Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

Alex Pereira's most recent fight witnessed him notch his third consecutive defense of his UFC light heavyweight championship, defeating fellow striking savant Khalil Rountree Jr. via fourth-round TKO in October 2024. 'Poatan' competed thrice in 2024, scoring knockouts over ex-light heavyweight kingpins Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka and later stopping Rountree.

Meanwhile, Pereira's longtime rival, Magomed Ankalaev, fought twice in the 2024 calendar year. The Dagestani MMA stalwart knocked out Johnny Walker and outpointed Aleksandar Rakic. He's long been lobbying for a title shot and has consistently accused Pereira of evading a potential fight against him. Alternatively, Pereira accused Ankalaev of avoiding him.

Pereira, an ex-UFC middleweight champion and current UFC light heavyweight champion, has long been campaigning for a shot at becoming the first three-division UFC champion. He's expressed interest in fighting UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who's also signaled that he's willing to fight Pereira.

In December 2024, Pereira teased that he wouldn't be fighting Ankalaev. However, Ariel Helwani recently reported that Pereira's heavyweight move would have to wait, as he's likely to defend his 205-pound belt against Ankalaev next.

Given the long-awaited build-up to their grudge match and multiple traded accusations of ducking the fight, it appears as though this bitter rivalry won't end even after they clash inside the octagon.

If Ankalaev loses, the rivalry might take a hit, as he'll have to work his way back to a title shot again. But if Pereira, who's a big-time UFC superstar right now, loses to Ankalaev, expect an immediate rematch and a continuation of their rivalry that could reach Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor levels of animosity.

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#4. Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones ended his MMA hiatus, dating back to February 2020, when he made his heavyweight divisional debut in March 2023. Jones spectacularly submitted Ciryl Gane to capture the vacant UFC heavyweight championship. However, he's competed just once since.

In the meantime, the U.K.'s Tom Aspinall captured the interim UFC heavyweight championship by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in November 2023. Aspinall then defended the interim belt by knocking out Curtis Blaydes in their rematch in July 2024. Many in the MMA community, Aspinall included, have long been campaigning for Jones to face the Englishman in a title unifier.

Jones has maintained that he'd have no qualms about facing Aspinall, provided that he's rewarded lucratively. Nevertheless, 'Bones' has underscored that he's more intrigued by a possible fight against UFC light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira, who's a fellow MMA great and UFC icon.

Aspinall has time and again accused Jones of evading a fight against him, whereas Jones has questioned whether the young Briton has done enough in the sport to even deserve a title shot against him. Jones went as far as suggesting that he'd vacate his heavyweight belt if need be and rather fight Pereira, as the Aspinall matchup doesn't interest him as much as a fight against 'Poatan.'

UFC boss Dana White recently reaffirmed that Jones vs. Aspinall will materialize in 2025. Well, the grudge match could be massive. If Aspinall loses, Jones would likely retire or perhaps fight Pereira, and his feud with Aspinall might fade away. But if Jones loses, one could expect their long-running rivalry to continue with a possible rematch and trilogy!

#3. Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan

Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan's first encounter saw Makhachev narrowly defeat Tsarukyan via unanimous decision. That was in a non-title matchup back in April 2019. Coming to the here and now, Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion, who's within touching distance of breaking the record for the most consecutive UFC lightweight title defenses (3).

The Dagestani combatant is booked to defend his lightweight championship against the Georgia-born Armenian Tsarukyan. Their highly-anticipated showdown headlines UFC 311 on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. The build-up to their rematch has been long and storied -- particularly marked by both fighters lambasting one another.

Tsarukyan has consistently maintained that he accepted their first fight on short notice and would dominantly defeat Makhachev with a full camp. On the other hand, the latter has vowed to beat Tsarukyan again. This feud is special in many ways, not only because of the animosity but also because of the underlying respect.

Both fighters have clarified that they acknowledge the other's skills. Currently, this feud may very well be the most high-profile one in regard to skill and both fighters being in their respective physical primes. It doesn't get more high level than this!

#2. Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett

Many fans would recollect the lead-up to UFC Fight Night 204 in March 2022, wherein the hot-button topic was the altercation between then-featherweight contender Ilia Topuria and then-lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett. England's Pimblett infamously threw a bottle of hand sanitizer at his Georgian-Spaniard rival.

Both fighters went on to win their respective matches at the event. Their rivalry has only grown from there despite them competing in separate weight classes. Pimblett has often faced flak for his remarks against Georgia and Georgian MMA fighters. He's faced accusations of making discriminatory and incendiary comments against Georgia, including some about the Russia-Georgia war.

Topuria notably went on to become the UFC featherweight champion in early 2024 by knocking out the legendary Alexander Volkanovski. The undefeated Topuria then defended the belt by becoming the first fighter to knock out MMA great Max Holloway in late 2024. Meanwhile, Pimblett is unbeaten in the UFC and has been working toward a UFC lightweight title shot.

Ironically, Topuria has lately lobbied for a lightweight title shot, ideally against current lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev. 'El Matador's coach also recently signaled that he might move up to lightweight, given that the featherweight cuts have gotten increasingly tougher.

Considering the variables at play, the UFC could be looking at one of the fiercest rivalries in all of combat sports history -- as both Topuria and Pimblett enjoy considerable stardom and are presumably in their athletic primes as young fighters.

With the highly personal angle of national/ethnic representation, factors like alleged discriminatory assertions, and overall animosity at play, Topuria vs. Pimblett could be an all-time great feud.

#1. Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov

The Georgian-American Merab Dvalishvili has long been at loggerheads with Russia's Umar Nurmagomedov. The unbeaten Nurmagomedov, who hails from Russia's Dagestan region, has been touted by many as a future UFC champion.

Umar, the cousin of MMA legend and former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has time and again indicated that UFC bantamweight kingpin Dvalishvili was evading a potential fight against him. Well, in December 2024, UFC CEO and president Dana White explained that Dvalishvili came into his office at night and demanded that the Nurmagomedov matchup be booked.

Presently, Dvalishvili is scheduled to defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Umar Nurmagomedov in the co-headlining match of UFC 311 that goes down this weekend. White recently hinted that ex-bantamweight kingpin 'Sugar' Sean O'Malley could fight its winner for the title next.

However, irrespective of who wins the Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov matchup, that feud is unlikely to end with just one encounter. The fight's loser is particularly likely to campaign and earn his way back to a rematch and continue their rivalry, which has been marked by sharp accusations and considerable trash talk.

It's a feud that has two fighters in their prime and who are likely among the most skilled pound-for-pound in the UFC today.