Conor McGregor alerts the UFC to teammate called 'Slick Nick' after first-round finish
03/29/2025 07:33 PM
UFC superstar Conor McGregor’s teammate, nicknamed ‘Slick Nick’, might get a shot in the Octagon soon.
During Conor McGregor‘s legendary combat sports career, many top names have risen to stardom at SBG Ireland. In between fight camps and business ventures, McGregor makes sure to promote his teammates in MMA and boxing as they look to rise the ranks and get a shot on big platforms.
In MMA, there’s no bigger platform than the UFC Octagon, a place where McGregor changed his life forever. A future UFC Hall of Famer, McGregor went from a brash up-and-comer to the face of the promotion during the prime of his career.
McGregor wants to see a similar outcome for one of his star teammates who picked up a massive win over the weekend in Madrid.
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Conor McGregor’s teammate stuns in Madrid at WOW 17
Nikolay Grozdev entered The Way of Warrior FC 17 (WOW) with an 8-2 professional record and fresh off of back-to-back first-round submission victories. After earning a post-fight performance bonus in September, Grozdev returned to the cage at WOW 17 against fellow hyped prospect Theo Bashford.
Just seconds into the first round, Bashford landed a hard low kick and a right hand that appeared to stun Grozdev. But Grozdev was able to secure a single-leg takedown and get top position, sinking in an arm-triangle choke for his third consecutive win.
It was a wild comeback for Grozdev in the WOW 17 co-main event, where UFC star Ilia Topuria sat cageside in Madrid.
After Grozdev’s victory, McGregor didn’t take long to react on social media in an attempt to persuade the UFC matchmakers to give him a shot to earn a roster spot.
McGregor reacted to Grozdev’s win in a recent Instagram story post.
“Slick Nick ANOTHER 1st ROUND FINISH! UFC,” McGregor posted.
Grozdev could potentially earn a title shot for his next fight in WOW FC as he continues to rise the featherweight rankings. It could be a matter of time until the UFC comes calling, especially after McGregor’s endorsement.
Conor McGregor teased UFC retirement during Bare Knuckle FC press conference
McGregor’s high praise of Grozdev comes amidst speculation of an MMA retirement following a recent Bare Knuckle FC press conference appearance. Ahead of BKFC Hollywood, McGregor teased a potential UFC retirement as he plans to run for president in Ireland later this year.
McGregor hasn’t appeared in the Octagon since injuring his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. He was supposed to headline UFC 303 last June opposite Michael Chandler before withdrawing due to a toe injury.
If McGregor wins the Irish presidential election, he isn’t ruling out a potential return to fighting, possibly in the boxing ring or BKFC. McGregor faced off with Mike Perry and Jeremy Stephens in recent months after becoming part-owner last year.
McGregor’s full-scale entrance into politics began when he visited The White House in Washington D.C. earlier this month for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump, an avid UFC fan, praised McGregor as one of his favorite Irish people in a meeting with Ireland’s political elite.
