Conor McGregor claimed that Khamzat Chimaev offered to help him train before his iconic fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.
The Irishman made the disputed statement in a now-deleted tweet to Chimaev, who called out McGregor on Instagram by posting a picture of himself with a rifle.
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A report from rt.com says Chimaev told McGregor the pair should "make big drama show."
The "Notorious" reacted and said, "Bratha, no problem", before appearing to make reference to the aforementioned title fight with Nurmagomedov.
"I appreciate you reaching out to the team in 2018 to come and help me beat up the little scared pigeon b*tch," he said in a now-deleted tweet. McGregor also namechecked Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov's MMA club in the post, who is pals with Chimaev.
"We are Akhmat MMA," exclaimed McGregor. "Smash them up, we will. Let's go. The Mac and Akhmat. We take no sh*t. Never peace."
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There was more than a degree of scepticism surrounding McGregor's claims, with one fan stating that Chimaev and his mother prayed for a Nurmagomedov victory ahead of that 2018 fight.
But turning attention back to the present day, and it seems unlikely that a match-up between the two fighters will happen any time soon.
McGregor is still recovering from a broken leg which he suffered in the UFC 264 fight with Dustin Poirier.
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MMA account Frontkick reports that Chimaev's next opponent could be Gilbert Burns, who previously registered an interest in taking on the Swedish fighter.
"Talks are, in fact, ongoing. Not done, but likely to get booked.
"The plan seems to be January rather than December - but again, nothing signed or set in stone as of now. Developing."
Speaking about the prospect of fighting Chimaev, he said: "I think so. I think he's real," in quotes published by MMA Junkie.
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"I think he's been tested. I think he fought a couple of good fighters. And the other thing, too, the way he beat them.
"Sometimes people don't understand the matchmaker. Sometimes they feed you. They want new contenders. They want new stars, and they feed a couple guys. But sometimes they don't destroy the guys the way they should. Even the matchmaker is just like, 'Hey, feed that guy. He don't want to eat.' But he's been doing a great job, you know, and I think he's real.
"I think I'm going to face him very soon. I think he needs one more win, and I think he'll have (the win). And if things keep going like that, like Colby doesn't even say my name, Masvidal, Leon. Why not? I'll give him the opportunity."
Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, Khamzat Chimaev, Gilbert Burns, UFC
