Khabib Nurmagomedov would crush Conor McGregor says UFC legend

UFC legend Dan Henderson thinks Conor McGregor's rival Khabib Nurmagomedov "would beat the piss out of him". Photo / Photosport

UFC legend Dan Henderson has warned that Conor McGregor's reign as lightweight champion could be short-lived, predicting rival Khabib Nurmagomedov "would beat the piss out of him".

McGregor claimed the LW strap with a sensational TKO win over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, becoming the first fighter in UFC history to hold two belts at once.

UFC president Dana White has insisted McGregor will forfeit either his featherweight or lightweight title. 'The Notorious' has never defended the FW crown he won from Jose Aldo with a stunning 13-second knockout in December last year and has long been tipped to step away from the division due to the brutal weight cut.

He looked far better physically at the lightweight division's 155-pound (70kg) limit in his fight with Alvarez. However, Nurmagomedov also took a hugely impressive win at UFC 205, submitting Michael Johnson, and owns the No.1 contender spot.

Dan Henderson said 'The Eagle' could easily take McGregor's new belt.

"I think that kid that fought last weekend, I have trouble with his name, Magomedov, the Russian kid, that's at 155 - I think he would definitely give Conor a huge problem," Henderson told The Adam Carolla Show.

"I think he definitely would take him down and beat the piss out of him."

Henderson said McGregor had become a more well-rounded fighter but remained limited. His last two wins, over ground masters Nate Diaz and Alvarez, were notable for McGregor totally avoiding any grappling exchanges.

"I don't dislike him," Henderson said of the Irish megastar. "I think it took me a while to kinda get on board with him, just to see a little bit more well-roundedness.

"He's always shown that he's got good hands, good kicks, but to see him against a couple different wrestlers that had good hands, it took me awhile to get onboard with him. I think Eddie Alvarez just did not fight a smart fight whatsoever. He didn't use his wrestling whatsoever."

Henderson also briefly weighed-in on the touted superfight between McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, predicting it wouldn't happen due to disagreements over the money split.

"I don't know if it will ever happen, just because both of them have got huge egos," Henderson said.