TMZ: CONOR MCGREGOR I'm Close On A UFC Fight With Khabib Maybe 2018

Conor McGregor says he ' s very close to finalizing the deal to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018 -- and he' s bragging that he' s already in fighting shape.

The UFC superstar was wrapping up his workout in NYC Monday when he updated Adam Glyn on fight negotiations with Khabib -- a fight expected to go down in October.
Conor raved about how much he loved the city of New York - - in the wake of his plea deal in his bus attack case -- but says the fight will most likely take place in Vegas . .. not Madison Square Garden .

via TMZ.com

There ' s more . .. McGregor also praised his former opponent, José Aldo , for his victory against Jeremy Stephens this weekend . Remeber, McGregor seemed to break Aldo ' s spirit with that
legendary 13 - second KO in 2016.
He even says .. . " the whole [nation ] of Ireland was happy for José Aldo that night. "

McGregor hasn' t fought in the Octagon since his victory over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 which , at this point, seems like an eternity ago . Of course, he fought Floyd Mayweather last year .

As for his claim to being in great shape .. . just check out his human being squats in the park . Yeah , we believe him .