Conor McGregor has deleted a post on his Instagram page that labelled his UFC conqueror Khabib Nurmagomedov a “little scurrying rat”.

The Irish mixed martial arts star is training for his return to the Octagon after more than a year since his defeat to Khabib, with his lightweight title defeat at UFC 229 in October 2018 the last time he was seen in competition.

The 31-year-old will take on Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in his return to the sport at UFC 246 on 18 January, with a series of training videos being uploaded to his Instagram account to help build hype for his Las Vegas return.

But one particular story caught the eye on Wednesday when a picture of McGregor appeared to send a message towards Khabib, who he has already spoken about at length in regards to his desire for a rematch in the not-too-distant future.

Written across the top of the image was the message: “Little scurrying rat, I’m coming.”

Khabib vs Conor McGregor Show all 30 1 /30 Khabib vs Conor McGregor Khabib vs Conor McGregor Khabib climbed the cage and attacked a member of McGregor's entourage after defeating the Irishman with a fourth-round submission AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor looks dejected after defeat AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor Khabib climbed the cage and attacked a member of McGregor's entourage AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor Khabib climbed the cage and attacked a member of McGregor's entourage AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor Khabib climbed the cage and attacked a member of McGregor's entourage AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor Khabib climbed the cage and attacked a member of McGregor's entourage Getty Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor looks dejected after defeat AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor looks dejected after defeat AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor Khabib's rear naked choke was enough to make McGregor submit AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor Khabib's rear naked choke was enough to make McGregor submit AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor and Khabib traded blows throughout Getty Images Khabib vs Conor McGregor Khabib dominated McGregor on the mat AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor Khabib dominated McGregor on the mat Getty Images Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor and Khabib traded blows throughout Getty Images Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor and Khabib traded blows throughout USA TODAY Sports Khabib vs Conor McGregor LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 06: Conor McGregor of Ireland smiles after the second round in their UFC lightweight championship bout during the UFC 229 event inside T-Mobile Arena on October 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Getty Images Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor and Khabib traded blows throughout USA TODAY Sports Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor and Khabib traded blows throughout Getty Images Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor and Khabib traded blows throughout USA TODAY Sports Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor and Khabib traded blows throughout Getty Images Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor was no match for Khabib Getty Images Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor and Khabib traded blows throughout USA TODAY Sports Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor and Khabib traded blows throughout USA TODAY Sports Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor was no match for Khabib USA TODAY Sports Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor and Khabib traded blows throughout AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor was no match for Khabib Getty Images Khabib vs Conor McGregor Khabib and McGregor faced each other in Las Vegas Getty Images Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor made his entrance AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor made his entrance AP Khabib vs Conor McGregor McGregor made his entrance Getty Images

McGregor’s story did not contain a specific mention towards Khabib, but his intentions were more than clear given his past comments.

Describing the post-fight brawl earlier in the year that took place in the immediate aftermath of his defeat against Khabib, McGregor said: “So what happened was, the fight was done, the match was done. (Khabib) climbed over the fence and jumped into the crowd to make a bit of noise, but as soon as he jumped into the crowd, he cowered away.

“I like to call it ‘scurried away’, because they’re little rats, they are. I’ll be honest. He scurried away.”

Conor McGregor deleted a post from his Instagram account that labelled Khabib a 'scurrying little rat' (Instagram/@thenotoriousmma)

McGregor is unlikely to get his wish though unless he commits to a full-time UFC return. Speaking earlier this week, Khabib made his intentions to not give McGregor a rematch unequivocally clear due to the fact that he has not won a UFC bout since stopping Eddie Alvarez in November 2016, while also questioning the calibre of his next opponent in Cerrone.

“I think Cerrone has lost seven or eight of his last 10 fights and the other one (McGregor) is going into his fourth year with no victories,” Khabib said. “It's like the minor leagues - it really doesn't matter who wins there.

“I'm surprised that (UFC president) Dana White is saying that if Conor beats Cerrone and I beat Tony Ferguson that there will be a rematch. I decide who I fight next.

“To fight me he has to cut weight first, down to 70kg, and then win 10 fights in a row like I did, then we'll think about a rematch.

“But for now he can fight second-rate fighters who lose seven out of 10 fights at 77kg, but to think he deserves the lightweight belt ... well I'm champion so that won't happen, don't worry.”