BUCHAREST, ROMANIA: Andrew Tate called out Conor McGregor in the lead up to the latter's unforgettable showdown against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. Even though four years have passed since their historic clash inside the octagon, the rivalry between these two fighters remains a legendary chapter in the history of the sport. The intense enmity between McGregor and Nurmagomedov, as well as their respective teams, still persists and continues to fuel fiery exchanges on the internet.
McGregor has long been known for strategically tapping into his opponent's psyche with a unique approach. Utilizing positive affirmations, he asserts his dominance and reinforces his intentions inside the octagon. Through psychological warfare, he aims to sow seeds of doubt and intimidation in the minds of his rivals, creating an aura of uncertainty that can work to his advantage during bouts.
When it came to facing Nurmagomedov, McGregor encountered a formidable opponent who was cut from a different cloth altogether. Known as 'The Eagle', Nurmagomedov was well-versed in McGregor's tactics and paid no heed to the Irishman's pre-fight antics. Instead, he remained steadfast in his resolve to let his performance speak for itself. At UFC 229, Nurmagomedov demonstrated this unwavering determination, as he stepped into the octagon with a focus and intensity that left no room for distractions. He refused to be swayed by McGregor's mind games, staying true to his own game plan and delivering an awe-inspiring performance.
'There's no way you can beat me'
Tate explained the clash and McGregor's psyche as follows, "When he's [McGregor] talking the fight up, he's talking himself up. When he's saying, 'There's no way you can beat me', what he's really doing is convincing himself that you can't even consider the thought of a loss. If you consider it then it starts to enter your psyche and then it affects your performance."
Tate added, "I could see in his uprun with Khabib, maybe it's just because I'm a fighter, but I could analyze what he was trying to do with Khabib. He was trying to do the same thing he did with Aldo. And when he did it with Khabib, he had this fake bravado even when he got inside the octagon. But still, he had not quite convinced himself he was invincible and then you get caught with a right hand and it just all starts going downhill."
'I knew Khabib was going to win'
Known for his knowledge of combat sports, Tate provided insights into the historic showdown between McGregor and Nurmagomedov. The influencer saw a crucial factor that he believed would lead to Nurmagomedov's triumph in the fight. He highlighted the unwavering commitment that 'The Eagle' displayed to the principles of his religion as a significant determinant in the outcome of the bout. As a devout Muslim, Nurmagomedov drew immense strength and discipline from his faith during his preparations for fights.
Tate said, "I knew Khabib was going to win. Khabib is a strict Muslim. I believe in the power of Allah. Train, Allah, train, Allah, train, Allah. There’s nothing else to his life. Do you wanna go spend millions of dollars? No. Do you wanna go club? No. Do you want girls? No. Train and Allah. That’s it. How the f**k you gonna beat that guy?”
