A war of words has begun ahead of one of the biggest fights of 2025 as Paul Hughes fires back at Khabib Nurmagomedov following the former UFC champion’s comments. As Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0, 1 NC) prepares to put his Bellator lightweight title on the line against Ireland’s Paul Hughes (13-1) on January 25th, his cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov has brutally slammed the standard of Irish MMA.
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib retired unbeaten at 29-0 over four years ago and now spends most of his time coaching a litany of high-profile fighters. He will be in Usman Nurmagomedov’s corner at Bellator’s Road to Dubai: Champions Series event later this month as his young cousin squares off against rising star Hughes in a fight that evokes memories of Khabib’s greatest rivalry.
Back in 2018, Khabib famously submitted Conor McGregor following weeks of bad blood in the lead up to their clash at UFC 229. The two former champions have never missed an opportunity to fire shots at each other in the years since, and with the PFL leaning quite heavily into the competitive rivalry between Dagestan and Ireland in an effort to market the card in Dubai, “The Eagle” has moved to shut down any suggestion of a rivalry between the two nations.
Khabib Rips Into Irish MMA
“Ireland don’t have fighters brother…let’s be honest” said Khabib this week in a video published to the PFL social media. “How many fighters do you know from Ireland? Paul Hughes and Conor…and who else?
“There is no fighter, brother. You come (to) Dagestan, you can understand. So many organizations, they don’t even sign Dagestan fighters because they worry about, like, everybody can become champion, you know?
“But Dagestan and…let’s be honest, Dagestan level of MMA here (lifts hand above head), but Ireland level…not even half of Dagestan level”.
The 🦅 has spoken 🗣️
How do you see it playing out between Dagestan’s Usman Nurmagomedov and Ireland’s Paul Hughes battle for the @BellatorMMA Lightweight World Title 👀#RoadtoDubai | Sat Jan 25 | Coca-Cola Arena | Dubai, UAE pic.twitter.com/CiNP4167kz
— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 2, 2025
Paul Hughes Fires Back at Khabib Nurmagomedov
Paul Hughes was (understandably) quick to respond. “Big News” shared the PFL’s social media post on his Instagram stories section along with the caption: “Just wait until I get my hands on your boy @khabib_nurmagomedov”.
In response to the rant on X, Paul Hughes Fires Back at Khabib Nurmagomedov with the response “Just wait and see”.
Just wait and see 🇮🇪 https://t.co/LfkPtNtfls
— Paul Hughes MMA (@paulhughesmma) January 2, 2025
Former Cage Warriors champion, Hughes has quickly risen to stardom within the promotion since signing in mid-2024. After finishing Bobby King at the Bellator Champions Series event in Dublin in June, he pulled off a major upset by beating former Bellator champion A.J. McKee at the PFL’s landmark “Battle of the Giants” pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia in October.
His impressive start has earned him a crack at Usman Nurmagomedov’s title and in the wake of his victory over McKee, Conor McGregor came out in support of his fellow Irishman’s bid to take on the Dagestani champion, tweeting: “Your team and corner have done a tremendous job with you! They will take you all the way! You’ve got this! We are with you brother, bring home the Gold!”
Championship Gold On The Line
Usman Nurmagomedov first became the Bellator lightweight champion just over two years ago when he dethroned Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 288 in Chicago. He went on to submit UFC legend Benson Henderson in the opening round of his first title defense three months later before beating Brent Primus later that year.
The victory over Primus was overturned to a “no contest” however, after Nurmagomedov failed a drugs test which landed him a 6-month suspension and a $50,000 fine. After proving to the CSAC that the prohibited substance had been prescribed by a doctor, he was allowed to retain his title.
Nurmagomedov returned to competitive action in September, picking up a decision victory over Alexander Shabily and will now face Hughes in the main event of a card that has strong “Dagestan vs. Ireland” theme to it.
In the co-main event, the unbeaten Khasan Magomedsharipov (10-0) will face Dubliner Nathan Kelly (11-2) who is on an impressive 11-fight winning streak. Also on the main card, Manchester Top Team prospect Ibragim Ibragimov (8-0) will face Ireland’s Kenny Mokhonoana (5-1), while Ireland’s John Mitchell (9-20 will face France’s Souhil Tairi (7-5-1) on the prelims.
Road To Dubai Champions Series: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes goes down at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on January 25th.
