McGregor Criticizes Khabib’s NFT Drop After Failed Memecoin

The conflict erupted when Khabib Nurmagomedov launched his NFT collection on Telegram featuring digital “papakhas” – traditional hats worn in his native Dagestan. McGregor responded with a now-deleted social media post that directly questioned Khabib’s motives, stating “There is just no way good guy Khabib used his late father’s name, as well as Dagestan’s culture, to scam his fans and fire sell a bunch of digital NFTs online.” The accusation touches on sensitive cultural appropriation concerns, suggesting Khabib was leveraging deeply personal and cultural symbols for commercial gain.

McGregor’s criticism specifically highlighted the use of Khabib’s late father’s name, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who was not only Khabib’s trainer but a respected figure in mixed martial arts circles. By connecting the NFT project to familial legacy and cultural heritage, McGregor framed the launch as potentially exploitative rather than celebratory. The digital papakhas represent more than just collectible items – they symbolize a cultural identity that McGregor implied was being monetized in questionable ways.

The narrative took a dramatic turn when blockchain investigator ZachXBT responded to McGregor’s criticism by revealing the UFC star’s own troubled history with celebrity cryptocurrency projects. ZachXBT pointed out that McGregor had attempted to launch his own celebrity memecoin called REAL in April 2024, which failed to gain any meaningful traction in the competitive crypto market. This revelation immediately undermined McGregor’s moral high ground, exposing what appeared to be hypocrisy in his criticism of Khabib’s NFT venture.

The REAL memecoin project represented McGregor’s foray into the celebrity-driven cryptocurrency space that has seen numerous high-profile launches in recent years. Unlike successful celebrity tokens that have generated significant trading volume and community engagement, McGregor’s REAL token failed to capture market interest despite his massive global following. The project’s lack of success highlights the challenges even famous figures face when entering the highly speculative world of meme cryptocurrencies, where community building and sustained engagement often prove more important than name recognition alone.

This public dispute between two UFC legends reflects a larger pattern of controversy surrounding celebrity involvement in cryptocurrency and NFT projects. High-profile figures from sports and entertainment have increasingly leveraged their fame to promote digital assets, often facing criticism about the legitimacy and sustainability of these ventures. The McGregor-Khabib exchange demonstrates how quickly these projects can become contentious, especially when cultural elements and personal legacies are incorporated into the marketing strategy.

ZachXBT’s intervention in the social media exchange represents the growing role of blockchain investigators in holding public figures accountable for their cryptocurrency-related statements and activities. These investigators serve as crucial watchdogs in an industry where celebrity endorsements can significantly influence market behavior and investment decisions. By publicly connecting McGregor’s criticism to his own failed project, ZachXBT highlighted the importance of transparency and consistency in the rapidly evolving world of digital assets.

The ongoing tension between McGregor and Nurmagomedov, which began in the UFC octagon, has now extended into the digital asset space, creating another chapter in their longstanding rivalry. However, this particular conflict raises broader questions about celebrity responsibility, cultural sensitivity, and the ethical boundaries of monetizing personal and cultural symbols through emerging technologies. As more public figures explore cryptocurrency and NFT ventures, the industry continues to grapple with establishing standards that protect consumers while allowing for legitimate innovation and cultural expression.