FORMER UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos released footage of Khabib Nurmagomedov ‘snoring’ in the middle of a choke hold in their 2014 fight.
The Brazilian claims he had the unbeaten Russian on the verge of unconsciousness six years ago.
Dos Anjos attempted to pull off a guillotine choke submission[/caption]
Khabib recovered to take the spoils via unanimous decision in Florida[/caption]
Reigning lightweight champ Khabib won the clash by unanimous decision.
But Dos Anjos, 36, shared a clip of the fight which appeared to show Khabib – who was ranked two places lower than his opponent at the time – struggling in the octagon.
The Eagle dramatically retired from MMA after beating Justin Gaethje in October.
But talk of a potential comeback has been rife with rematches against Irishman Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier widely touted.
However, in a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Khabib shut down the chances of either match-up, reiterating how he had ‘choked both’ fighters already.
The 32-year-old said: “What for? I choked both. Why should I do this?
“There is no sports interest there. I choked both of them, both were champions, both surrendered to me.”
Dos Anjos saw the comments and was prompted to reminisce about his own defeat and suggested he would be a better man to rematch if Khabib does fight again.
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He shared the rare footage on Instagram with the caption: “Khabib said he is not interested in fighting Conor or Dustin as he choked both of them.
“As a matter of fact I got him snoring until a slipping rib saved him from [unconsciousness].
“He beat me fair and square, but no one got closer to putting the Champ out.
“My plan was to beat his brother [Islam Makhachev] and go after that neck again.
“That plan felt apart for reasons beyond my control, but I will keep sharping my tools just in case he decides to come back and chooses me.”
Khabib admitted he would find it hard to turn down a £75million pay day to come out of retirement – but is definitely not prepared to rematch The Notorious.
McGregor ends his third ‘retirement’ when he faces Poirier at UFC 257 next month.
