Michaela
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has publicly criticized fellow ex-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov over his recent non-fungible token (NFT) release on Telegram, only to be called out in turn by blockchain analyst ZachXBT for his own meme coin launch, which the sleuth labeled a potential “scam.”
Key Points
- In response, blockchain analyst ZachXBT posted on X a retort mimicking McGregor’s statements, spotlighting similar concerns regarding the launch of McGregor’s own meme coin
- There is just no way good guy do this,” ZachXBT wrote, sharing screenshots regarding McGregor’s celebrity meme coin REAL
- The token offered staking rewards for holders, but the launch fell short, raising only 39% of its target
In a now-deleted X post, McGregor alleged that Nurmagomedov was using his late father’s name, as well as Dagestan’s culture, to “scam” his fans and “fire sell” several NFTs “and then delete all of the content after they were sold,” claiming that supporters were subsequently robbed of their money. In response, blockchain analyst ZachXBT posted on X a retort mimicking McGregor’s statements, spotlighting similar concerns regarding the launch of McGregor’s own meme coin.
“There is just no way good guy McGregor used his reputation, as well as Irish culture, to scam his fans and fire sell a bunch of digital tokens’s online and then delete all of the posts after they were sold, leaving his fans robbed of their money? There is just no way good guy do this,” ZachXBT wrote, sharing screenshots regarding McGregor’s celebrity meme coin REAL.
In April, McGregor launched REAL, which was sold to buyers through a sealed-bid auction designed to prevent price manipulation by bots or snipers. The token offered staking rewards for holders, but the launch fell short, raising only 39% of its target. McGregor stated that all funds were refunded to participants, with the underperformance attributed to a combination of a broader crypto market downturn and a struggling meme coin sector.
Related: Jump Trading Faces $4B Lawsuit For Rigging the Terra Collapse
Nurmagomedov responded on X, accusing his former UFC rival of lying and attempting to “darken his name” in the wake of their notorious fight, which McGregor lost. “Yes, good guys don’t do that. They don’t create exclusive digital gifts with real time value, that you can share with your friends and family,” Nurmagomedov wrote. “Gifts in the shape of Papakha – hat that symbolize traditions and culture of Dagestan people. Traditions and culture that slowly walking over this world, whether you like it or not,” he added.
This incident spotlights how crypto accountability and transparency have become central concerns in the industry, particularly for celebrity-backed projects. High-profile launches are now subject to intense scrutiny from fans and on-chain sleuths like ZachXBT, who monitor transactions and token activity closely.
Related: Pump.fun Ex-Dev Jarett Dunn Gets Six Years for $2M Theft
Missteps, underperformance, or perceived mismanagement can quickly draw public criticism, demonstrating that digital assets tied to celebrities face a heightened level of oversight, and that the crypto community is increasingly unwilling to overlook failures.
MICHAELA
Michaela is a news writer focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain topics. She prioritizes rigorous research and accuracy to uncover interesting angles and ensure engaging reporting. A lifelong book lover, she applies her passion for reading to deeply explore the constantly evolving crypto world.
