Gegard Mousasi has urged Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) star Conor McGregor not to act like a "cry baby" after labelling him an "idiot".

The Dutchman defeated Vitor Belfort in Manchester on 8 October and revealed the incident in the post-fight press conference after UFC 2014, suggesting that the pair went back-and-forth in exchanging private messages and accused McGregor of threatening him with a knife.

When asked about this incident, Mousasi said: "Well, McGregor is an idiot. He sent me a message and I sent him a message. He didn't like what I said in the press conference but he dishes it out so he should take it."

The 28-year-old UFC superstar is yet to respond to the comments made by Mousasi as the latter has been embroiled in a feud with McGregor. The Iranian-born Dutchman has won his last three fights and looks like he is winning the battle of words as well.

Mousasi is not willing to take back his words and went on to suggest that UFC featherweight champion is imitating retired boxer Floyd Mayweather to improve his profile on social media. Despite his comments, The Dreamcatcher admitted that McGregor is a good fighter and believes the Irishman overdoes self promotions.

"They asked me a question about respect so I answered that with an example, McGregor dishes out so he has to take it. He shouldn't be a cry baby. He says a lot of things about everyone so he should be able to take it," Mousasi told the Daily Mail.

"He's a good fighter, but the way he promotes himself, he's cocky, he overdoes it, he has no class. I didn't say this before but now that he sent me that message (on Twitter) I say it. In the UFC 204 press conference, I said he copied Mayweather, that's exactly what he did. He didn't like it, so he responded and sent me a message then I responded. If you can dish it out then you should take it, don't be a p****.

"Of course he's good for the sport, he promotes a fight. But does he overdo it? Does the fame get into his head? He can do whatever he wants but if you're in the spotlight, and you dish it out, then you shouldn't be a cry baby."

Gegard Mousasi
Gegard Mousasi earlier accused Conor McGregor for threatening him with a knife Getty