$ZEC An online dispute between UFC stars Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov has drawn the attention of crypto sleuth ZachXBT, who highlighted McGregor’s past failed token launch to counter his accusations against Nurmagomedov’s new NFT project.
The Clash Over Crypto Projects
The controversy began when former UFC champion Conor McGregor publicly criticized his long-time rival, Khabib Nurmagomedov, for launching a non-fungible token (NFT) collection. Nurmagomedov’s project features digital "papakhas"—the traditional Dagestani headwear he is famous for wearing.
In a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), McGregor accused Nurmagomedov of using his late father's legacy and culture to "scam his fans" with digital assets. McGregor questioned the legitimacy of the project, implying it was a "fire sale" intended to take money from supporters.
However, the narrative shifted quickly when ZachXBT, a well-known on-chain researcher and security expert, intervened. ZachXBT responded to McGregor by pointing out the hypocrisy in his statement, citing McGregor's own involvement in a failed cryptocurrency project earlier this year.
ZachXBT Highlights the "REAL" Token Failure
ZachXBT replied to McGregor by mimicking the fighter's own language. He questioned how "good guy McGregor" could use his reputation and Irish culture to sell digital tokens, only to delete all promotional posts after the project failed.
The researcher was referring to the REAL token, a celebrity meme coin McGregor attempted to launch in April 2025. The project aimed to raise funds through a sealed-bid auction but struggled significantly, securing only 39% of its financial target.
While McGregor’s team stated that investors were refunded after the soft cap was not met, ZachXBT criticized the lack of transparency. Specifically, he noted that McGregor deleted all social media posts related to the REAL token after it failed to launch, a behavior often associated with "rug pulls" or low-accountability projects in the crypto space.
Market Context and Impact
This exchange highlights a broader trend of celebrity-backed cryptocurrencies facing scrutiny in late 2024 and 2025. Market data indicates that many celebrity meme coins have suffered from high volatility and low long-term value, leading to increased skepticism among retail investors.
The "REAL" token's inability to launch and the subsequent backlash against Nurmagomedov’s NFT drop serve as cautionary tales. Experts continue to warn investors to conduct due diligence (DYOR) rather than relying on celebrity endorsements, as fame does not guarantee the viability or security of a blockchain project.
UFC star Conor McGregor criticized Khabib Nurmagomedov’s NFT launch, prompting on-chain sleuth ZachXBT to expose McGregor’s own failed "REAL" token project. The exchange highlights ongoing scrutiny regarding celebrity involvement in the cryptocurrency market.
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