Al Iaquinta says Conor McGregor will have to ‘get through’ him before he gets a potential rematch against Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Controversial Irishman McGregor was forced to tap out in the fourth round back in early October as Nurmagomedov retained his lightweight title in Las Vegas with an impressive and controlled display.

Iaquinta meanwhile beat fellow American Kevin Lee on points after five rounds in their rematch at a UFC event on Sunday and says McGregor must take him on before getting another shot at Khabib.

“If Conor thinks he’s getting a rematch [with Nurmagomedov] before me I think that is nonsense,” said Iaquinta, who himself lost to the Russian in April at UFC 223.

“I’m the guy he has to get through if he wants to get a rematch. No immediate rematch for him, he tapped out.” McGregor’s bout with Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in Las Vegas was his first appearance in the Octagon for 693 days.

The evening descended into chaos after the challenger tapped out, with Nurmagomedov climbing outside of the Octagon to attack some of McGregor’s entourage and members of the Russian’s camp bulldozing the Irish fighter as he stood inside the cage.

Despite coming off a clear second best, McGregor made no secret of his desire to have another tilt at the champion, suggesting in the aftermath of his defeat: “If it is not the rematch right away, no problem. I will face the next in line.”