UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is well aware that Conor McGregor is itching for a rematch later this year, but he maintains that the Irish superstar has done nothing to prove he’s worthy of a title shot. During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Khabib brushed off McGregor’s 40-second TKO victory over Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, claiming that Cowboy is simply washed up.

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In regards to Cowboy, Khabib tells TMZ, “He’s not high level… Of course he has a big name, but his time is finished.” He adds, “Cowboy always loses all his main event fights, always. I don’t remember when he win. In last 10 fights, I think he’s lost 7 times.”

Cerrone holds a number of UFC records, including most wins (22), most knockdowns (20), and most finishes (16). That said, Khabib has a point in saying that he has been on the decline as of late. Following his loss to McGregor in January, the 36-year old veteran has now tasted defeat in seven of his last 11 fights.

Khabib also described how he is only interested in challenging high caliber fighters such as his upcoming opponent, Tony Ferguson.

Assuming there are no hiccups int he next two months, Khabib and Tony will finally come face to face at UFC 249 on April 18th. You can check out Khabib’s recent interview with TMZ Sports in the video embedded below.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith posted a video on social media earlier this week in response to criticism from Joe Rogan and MMA fans, following his harsh critique of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

Fight fans were enraged at how Smith described his disgust with Cowboy’s “atrocious performance” against Conor McGregor at UFC 246, and Rogan shared in the fans’ frustration as he later explained that Smith’s commentary was bad for the sport. Even McGregor and Nate Diaz have chosen sides in the debate.

With Smith’s inflammatory remarks gaining traction, it should come as no surprise that Rogan took some time to issue a response.

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During a discussion with UFC’s Frankie Edgar on the Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan further explained why SAS was wrong, stating that MMA simply isn’t in his wheelhouse. Says Rogan:

“Stephen A. Smith – I guess I should respond – you’re a very entertaining guy. I like you a lot. I appreciate the props you gave me in that video, but you’re wrong.” 

He adds, “Stephen A. Smith said he felt like Cowboy quit. He did not quit – he got smashed. You’re talking about a guy who has the most fights in the UFC, the most finishes in the UFC, the most head-kick knockouts in the UFC, the most bonuses in the UFC. Cowboy is a fucking legend.”

As seen in the video clip embedded below, Rogan broke down exactly how McGregor gained an advantage over Cowboy at the very start of the fight with those shoulder strikes and proceeded to pummel the veteran fighter en route to a first-round TKO.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith pissed off a lot of MMA fans earlier this month when he bashed UFC veteran Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone following his 40-second loss to Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 246. During his post-fight assessment, Smith described how "disgusted" he was with Cowboy's "atrocious performance."

Joe Rogan, who was standing next to Smith when the comments were made, wholeheartedly disagreed with Smith's take as well, and he expanded upon his feelings on the “JRE MMA Show” podcast. In short, Rogan stated that Smith's commentary was bad for the sport.

Smith issued his response to the criticism on Saturday, as seen in the video embedded below.

Forty-seconds was all Conor McGregor needed to best Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone. 

McGregor capitalized on an early shoulder shot to damage Cerrone and then, finish him with a head kick to conclude UFC 246.

It was a shocking result that left Twitter ablaze.

Conor McGregor is finally making his way back to the Octagon this Saturday as he takes on Donald Cowboy Cerrone in UFC 246. Fans have been waiting for this fight for a while now and McGregor will have the opportunity to show people that he’s still a top tier fighter. Recently, McGregor spoke to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani about the lead up to the fight and what’s been going on in his life. McGregor dropped a few gems and even spoke about his health and how he pays a lot more attention to it now.

In fact, McGregor says LeBron James was a huge source of inspiration for him. McGregor spoke about how LeBron used to spend a lot of money on his health which made the UFC fighter stop and think about his own expenditures. Now, McGregor can be found investing in himself a lot more.

“I read something about LeBron James a while back, about maybe a year ago, that he spent $1.5 million annually on his health. His everything, his nutrition, his training, his everything. And I spent nothing,” McGregor said. “I was like that’s not the way to do this. But I drop money on a blatant car, or a watch, you know what I mean? I spend on myself, on my health and my fitness and that’s helped me. Then you acquire more (money). You acquire even more then, when you’re sharp and that’s what I am now.”

This Saturday will be a true test of whether or not McGregor’s efforts to get his health in check, have paid off. Do you think he can beat Cowboy or is he a goner?

Conor McGregor will make his much anticipated return to the octagon this Saturday as he squares up with fan favorite Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in the main event of UFC 246. Ahead of the January 18 bout, McGregor sat down with ESPN's Ariel Helwani for a wide ranging interview, during which the Irish superstar shed some light on his decision to return with a fight in the Welterweight division.

To put it simply, McGregor is supremely confident in his abilities at 155 or 170, and believes he could beat Cowboy even if he had the flu.

“I know, I could have (made his life more difficult),” says McGregor. “I just don’t think he looks well at 155. He’s a 170 fighter. I’d beat him at any weight. I’d beat him if I had the flu. I don’t need that [a fight at Lightweight]. I just want to focus on my training and keep me sharp. I don’t want to cut and then build and then cut. I’m happy where I’m at.”

Check out an excerpt from the Helwani interview below.