Khabib Nurmagomedov claims he would beat Conor McGregor in a UFC rematch and believes ’99 per cent’ of fans agree with him.

Khabib famously beat the Irishman in a previous encounter back in October 2018, in a fight which ended with both camps having a brawl in and outside the Las Vegas Octagon.

McGregor only returned to MMA last month, where he marked his comeback in spectacular fashion, beating Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone inside one round.

After making his return, UFC president Dana White is keen on getting McGregor back in the cage with Khabib, but it's something the champion isn't interested in.

“I think people want to see us continue what happened last time,” Nurmagomedov told TMZ. "They just want to see drama.

If you ask people, 'Guys, what do you think, who's gonna win?' 99 per cent going to say 'Khabib, like he did first time.'

"Just people want to see a big drama show, only for this one.

“If we talk about money, this is good. If we talk about drama, this is good. If we talk about real lightweight contender or real lightweight championship fight, this is not good. This is not a real championship fight.

“But if we talk about drama and money, of course this is good. But I come here for show, to make my legacy. For my legacy, I have to beat tough opponents like Dustin Poirier, like Iaquinta, like other guys.

“Right now it's Tony Ferguson. I have to beat all of them, like real contenders, not fake contenders.”

The Russian has not fought in the Octagon since September, when he beat Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi at UFC 242. He is scheduled to face Tony Ferguson in April at UFC 249 in New York, as he looks to preserve his undefeated record.

Even though Khabib knows of his next opponent, the same can’t be said for McGregor, as there has been rampant speculation regarding the identity of his next opponent.

Yet it seems the Irishman only has eyes for the Russian, with White telling BT Sport: “I don't know (about a third fight with Diaz being next). He's focused on Khabib. He wants the Khabib fight.”