Khabib Nurmagomedov received a hero's welcome on his return to Russia after his UFC 229 victory over Conor McGregor on Saturday.
Nurmagomedov, 30, was greeted by large crowds at Anzhi-arena in Makhachkala on Monday ahead of an official ceremony to mark his fourth-round stoppage of McGregor in Las Vegas.
The unbeaten fighter showed off his UFC lightweight title belt and posed next to his father Abdulmanap during the ceremony, which was observed by his loyal supporters as well as local dignitaries.
Meanwhile, defeated opponent McGregor has been called out on social media by old rival Jose Aldo, who wants a rematch with the Irishman.
The pair fought in UFC 194 in 2015, with Aldo losing his featherweight title following a stunning early knockout from McGregor. And taking advantage of McGregor's falling stock in UFC circles, Brazilian Aldo is now plotting revenge.
Não tem pra onde correr!
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) October 9, 2018
Chegou a hora!
it's time! @TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/JZLFgr64ct
"You have nowhere to run! It's time!" he wrote on Twitter on Tuesday alongside an image of the two from their last head-to-head.
Despite his high-profile defeat at the T-Mobile Arena over the weekend, McGregor, for his part, remains in a typically bullish mood -- and took to social media to give his fans a defiant update, while sporting a black eye.
We lost the match but won the battle.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 8, 2018
The war goes on. pic.twitter.com/CRtPaGfOnn
Yet in a sign that his star is on the wane, the Irish fighter has been mocked by former WWE wrestler Chris Jericho.
Asked on Twitter whether he would be tempted by a move to UFC, Jericho, 47, made fun of McGregor after his defeat against Khabib:
Why not! I could probably beat @TheNotoriousMMA at this point... https://t.co/L7U4xefwFd
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) October 7, 2018
Jericho currently wrestles for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and is the reigning IWGP Intercontinental Champion.
