Conor McGregor’s heartbroken six-word admission to team after Khabib loss revealed ahead of UFC return

CONOR MCGREGOR made a frank and honest admission to his team backstage after his grudge match with Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The Notorious’ 2018 return to the octagon ended in a fourth-round submission defeat to the then-lightweight champion in the main event of UFC 229 in Las Vegas.

GETTYConor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov threw down at UFC 229 in October 2018[/caption]

USA TODAY SPORTSThe Notorious suffered a fourth-round submission defeat to the retired Russian[/caption]

APMcGregor cut a dejected and frustrated figure in his post[/caption]

NETFLIXThe Notorious made no excuses for the defeat backstage[/caption]

But tempers flared after Nurmagomedov’s neck crank as the Russian flew over the cage to attack McGregor’s team-mate Dillon Danis – sparking chaos inside and outside the octagon.

McGregor was escorted back to his dressing room by security after they finally got a handle on the madness and was given some words of encouragement from his team.

But The Notorious wasn’t in the mood for papering over the cracks of his fourth professional defeat.

In previously-unseen footage released in the trailer for his upcoming Netflix documentary, he said: “I was beat and that’s that.”

McGregor’s feud with Nurmagomedov didn’t end that fateful night at the T-Mobile Arena and has played out on social media for the best part of five years.

And despite admitting defeat in the aftermath of the loss, McGregor has repeatedly claimed he was winning their war.

In October 2020, he said: “On the mula! Round 1’s mine. Outstruck 3-1. Elbow, knees, clatters! He held on.

“Two is his but I land multiple knees.

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“One from standing after the overhand, and one from bottom into the eye socket at kimura attempt.

“Not a scratch end of [the] round also.

“I won round three, and four until the trip.”

McGregor is set to return to the octagon later this year for a blockbuster showdown with fellow fan favourite Michael Chandler.

But a date for their clash has yet to materialise as McGregor hasn’t re-entered the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool.

USADA and UFC policy requires returning fighters to be in the pool for a minimum of six months before they’re eligible to compete.

The UFC can, however, issue exemptions to the rule in exceptional circumstances.

McGregor launched a stinging attack on USADA when they re-affirmed his requirement to be in the pool for six months in March.

The Dubliner tweeted: “This is my issue. I’ve not lied once.

“Nor have I tested positive. Ever.

“I have over 70 clean tests under this program, yet they are consistently coming out after I speak in a manner that makes it seem I am lying.

“It’s ridiculous. F**k used. You are in The Bin. Over 70 clean tests.

“Never violated once. I will not be scapegoated by this garbage organization.

“You are not the be-all-end-all in this equation, USADA.”