Overview
- Speaking at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, Khabib told Rio Ferdinand that fighters can be civil yet can never be friends with someone who tried to hurt them.
- He contrasted MMA with team sports and reiterated, "We have to be nice," but friendship does not follow a fight.
- He pointed to Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje as examples of mutual respect that stops short of friendship, despite public gestures like charitable support.
- He underscored a loyalty rule by noting he respects Jon Jones’ skills but cannot be his friend because of his bond with Daniel Cormier, and he has kept distance from Josh Thomson after Thomson worked with Conor McGregor.
- He acknowledged his past cordiality with McGregor but noted that reconciliation he once said was possible has not occurred.