The rivalry between Irish and Dagestani fighters is trending online, thrilling fans worldwide. This intense feud dates back to Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov and has been reignited by Khabib’s recent comments, suggesting Dagestani fighters are superior and Irish fighters lack representation. Adding fuel to the fire, Irish fighter Paul Hughes has now taken aim at Dagestani fighters, intensifying the rivalry further.
Hughes unleashed a sharp critique of the Dagestani MMA camp. He accused them of relying on doping to maintain their dominance in the sport. He pointed to Usman Nurmagomedov’s six-month suspension after a positive test. This suspension overturned his October 2023 title defense against Brent Primus.
Additionally, Hughes brought up Islam Makhachev’s 2016 meldonium controversy, where the UFC canceled his bout against Drew Dober before lifting the suspension due to medical justification. Mocking the repeated doping allegations within Team Khabib, Hughes took to social media, writing, “Dagestan number 1 at juicing, bratha.”
Dagestan number 1 at juicing bratha 💉 pic.twitter.com/ff82h3Q6ko
— Paul Hughes MMA (@paulhughesmma) January 3, 2025
The rivalry continues to heat up, promising fans an exciting clash. With tensions running high, Paul Hughes is set to face Usman Nurmagomedov in a Bellator lightweight title showdown.
Paul Hughes Hopes To Have Conor McGregor In His Corner For Bellator Title Fight
The ‘Battle of Giants’ main card kicked off with a lightweight bout where Paul Hughes knocked out AJ McKee in the first round with a powerful knee and follow-up punches. After his dominant victory, Hughes called out Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov and expressed his desire to have Conor McGregor in his corner for the fight.
“Someone clip this, Conor, I want you in my corner for that fight, 100 per cent. How cool would that be? We might need some extra security that night. Oscar talk to the man. We might need some more security but I’m down for it. I think it would be fun,” he said in his post-fight interview.
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Fans last saw McGregor cornering Irish fighter Sinead Kavanagh in June at a Bellator event, where she competed in the Featherweight division. However, it remains unclear whether McGregor will be in Paul Hughes’ corner for his upcoming fight.
