The NFT Controversy Between McGregor and Khabib: What On-Chain Investigator ZachXBT Uncovered

A heated dispute has erupted between two UFC legends over accusations of NFT-related misconduct. The clash between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, which previously remained confined to the octagon, has now spilled into the digital asset arena, drawing scrutiny from prominent on-chain analysts.

The Papakha NFT Project and Its Rapid Success

The controversy centers on an NFT collection launched by retired UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. The project, known as “Papakha,” consisted of 29,000 digital assets representing the traditional Dagestani sheepskin hat iconic to Nurmagomedov’s walkouts. The collection sold out within 25 hours, reportedly generating millions in revenue.

Nurmagomedov’s team promoted the initiative as a tribute to Dagestani heritage and as an homage to his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who passed away in 2020. The NFTs were described as “exclusive digital gifts with real-time value” that holders could share and trade.

McGregor’s Public Accusation

On November 26, McGregor publicly challenged the legitimacy of the project. He claimed that Nurmagomedov exploited his father’s memory and cultural traditions for commercial gain. McGregor pointed out that immediately after the sale concluded, Nurmagomedov deleted all promotional content from his social media accounts—a move McGregor interpreted as evidence of fraudulent intent.

In his statement, McGregor questioned how someone could leverage family legacy and cultural symbols to promote a digital asset offering, then erase the promotional trail once funds had been collected, potentially leaving buyers without recourse or transparency.

Nurmagomedov’s Defense and ZachXBT’s Investigation

Nurmagomedov’s representatives responded by defending the legitimacy of the initiative. They reaffirmed that the NFTs held genuine utility and cultural significance, representing traditions of the Dagestani people.

However, just hours after McGregor’s accusation went public, renowned blockchain analyst ZachXBT waded into the dispute. Rather than siding with either party, ZachXBT turned the spotlight on McGregor himself, pointing to a 2022 NFT project called “McGregor Realm” that the fighter had actively promoted.

Parallel Allegations and Pattern Recognition

ZachXBT’s intervention introduced a critical layer to the narrative: the investigator highlighted that McGregor had similarly promoted his own NFT venture, raising questions about whether the accusations were driven by competitive rivalry rather than genuine concern about consumer protection. This pivot shifted the debate from a straightforward scam allegation to a more complex examination of both fighters’ involvement in the NFT space.

The dispute underscores ongoing tensions within the cryptocurrency and NFT communities regarding transparency, consumer protection, and the responsibilities of high-profile figures when promoting digital assets.