Conor McGregor and Drake steal show at UFC 229 weigh-in before staredown scuffle with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s camp
Superstar rapper shows his support for the Irishman ahead of much-hyped lightweight title fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov in Las Vegas
If there wasn’t enough razzmatazz surrounding Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC Octagon in Las Vegas, he was joined on stage by superstar rapper Drake at Friday’s raucous weigh-in.
Drake is in town to perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, not too far from the T-Mobile Arena where McGregor takes on lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC 229.
The Canadian artist is a huge fan of “The Notorious”, having introduced him on stage at the Toronto leg of the promotional world tour for McGregor’s mega-money boxing bout against Floyd Mayweather last year.
McGregor and Nurmagomedov remained on course for their blockbuster lightweight title fight after they made weight at the “official” weigh-in.
UFC chief Dana White claims the event is trending towards three million pay-per-view buys – which would smash the record McGregor set in 2016 for his rematch against Nate Diaz.
The Irishman came in half a pound under the 155-pound weight limit, while Nurmagomedov weighed in at 155 pounds.
The two men almost came to blows during their ceremonial face-off in front of thousands of fans, with their teams having to separate them after McGregor aimed a kick towards his rival.