An up-and-coming UFC fighter explains Conor McGregor rivalry after slamming him for living in a fantasy land

• Conor McGregor drinks, smokes, does drugs, and then goes on Twitter to talk nonsense.
• That's the explosive claim made by up-and-coming UFC fighter Rafael Fiziev.

Up-and-coming UFC fighter Rafael Fiziev told Insider and other reporters the story behind his Twitter feud with combat sports superstar Conor McGregor.

Fiziev, a Muay Thai fighter from Azerbaijan, is renowned for his distinctive style of striking that sees him evade shots like he's entering the Matrix.

MMA reporter Alex Behunin from Cageside Press posted a highlight package Tuesday in which Fiziev's defense was on full display.

—Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) July 6, 2022

That same day, the former two-weight UFC champ McGregor called the montage "awesome," however, he also offered constructive criticism.

"Change the roundhouse to an axe kick," the 33-year-old said. "Roundhouse into an axe kick, and this defense eats the full of the heel.

"I'm telling you," continued McGregor, "if their reaction to a high kick is this, implement the axe."

Fiziev responded by telling McGregor that he lives in a "fantasy land."

He invited the Irishman to his fight team Tiger Muay Thai so the two of them could throw kicks together.

Fiziev even implied that McGregor might learn a thing or two.

Despite this, McGregor remained relatively civil, thanked Fiziev for the offer to join his fight team, and said: "When I am in Thailand, I will head here for sure!"

However, he added: "You are yet to do anything significant in this sport."

McGregor then wished Fiziev "luck" in his "upcoming fight" Saturday against Rafael dos Anjos at a UFC event in the Apex, Las Vegas.

However, things took a dark turn when McGregor replied to another Fiziev comment. "Think of me as Tiger Woods with a 12 iron and your nose as the golf ball."

Fiziev claimed McGregor 'maybe' does drugs before he tweets

Reporters asked Fiziev about the exchange during a media scrum at the Apex.

Fiziev said McGregor likely drinks, smokes, and mimicked sniffing cocaine as if McGregor does drugs before he fires off his tweets. He provided no evidence for the claim.

On the social media interaction, he said McGregor "started with saying 'respect,' but you know, I'm sure I'm respected by everybody, and I also respect Conor's big work for this business.

"But before he sleeps at night, he drinks first. Maybe he smokes and after maybe he like [does drugs]," Fiziev said as he made a snorting sound and wiped his finger along his nose.

To Insider and other reporters, Fiziev continued: "Maybe he has one last drink of [McGregor's whiskey] Proper Twelve.

"Oh, he takes his phone, he starts talking shit, you know."

Fiziev finished by commenting that he hopes McGregor knows he does actually respect what he's done in the sport and for the sport.

"I say to everyone and to Conor directly, I don't disrespect him," he said.

"I respect this guy, invite him to Tiger Muay Thai, to our training camp, and to teach him how to kick and check kicks."

It is unclear if McGregor will actually accept Fiziev's invitation.