CONOR McGREGOR'S training partner said a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov 'wouldn’t be a close fight' now the UFC star has the 'right mindset'.
McGregor was beaten in round four of his grudge match with Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in 2018.
Dillon Danis helped the Irishman prepare for the fight and was even involved in the post-fight brawl.
The ugly scenes have helped fuel demand for a rematch, despite unbeaten Khabib announcing his shock retirement in October.
But jiu jitsu expert Danis hopes the bitter enemies can revive their rivalry – and believes McGregor would no doubt avenge defeat by knockout.
He said on NELK boys live stream: “The thing is, I don’t think it would be close, I really don’t. If Conor’s mindset is like how it is now, it won’t be close.
“Trust me, I know what Conor McGregor can do, ability-wise. It wouldn’t be a close fight.
"Khabib is a one-dimensional fighter, Conor would put him away within five rounds."
McGregor, 32, has fought just once since the crushing loss, knocking out Donald Cerrone, 37, in just 40 seconds in January.
But beforehand, the former two-division champion admitted he lost focus before fighting Khabib and was even DRINKING during his camp.
With a reformed attitude and dedication to his craft, Danis would be willing to lay it all on the line that McGregor evens it out with Nurmagomedov.
He said: "Look at his last fight and how good he did, that fight was his fight.
"With the right mindset and the right camp, it isn’t even close.
"I would bet my soul and everything I have in my possession that he would beat Khabib the second time.”
McGregor – who returns to the cage on January 23 against Dustin Poirier – saw his hopes of redemption dashed after Nurmagomedov hung up his gloves.
Khabib, 32, made the decision after beating Justin Gaethje, 31, which was the first fight since the loss of his influential father Abdulmanap, who passed away in July.
But Khabib had always maintained their plan was to retire unbeaten at 30-0.
And with the Russian one win away from doing so, UFC president Dana White is hopeful he can convince the lightweight king into one final fight.
The pair are due to meet for talks on the week of McGregor's Fight Island headliner against Poirier, 31, who was previously beaten by The Notorious in 2014.
And along with Danis, their head trainer John Kavanagh also hopes Nurmagomedov will come back for a rematch with his great rival.
Kavanagh told TheMacLife: “I think Conor and Khabib are the two best lightweights, and it would be for me, of course from a coaching perspective, it would be phenomenal to see that contest again.
“Will [Khabib] come back? You’re asking the wrong guy. That’s Khabib. He seems the type of guy that if he says something, that’s it.
"But, like Dana has hinted, it seems to me there might be some wiggle room in those promises made.
"So you know, time will tell.”
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