Conor McGregor's recent tirade against fellow Irish fighter Paul Hughes has sparked controversy, especially following Hughes' friendly post-fight interaction with Usman Nurmagomedov and his camp. After losing by majority decision at the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai, Hughes was criticized by McGregor for his perceived lack of allegiance to Ireland.
McGregor, who once held both the UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Championships, felt strongly about Hughes’ cordiality with his opponent, which he saw as something akin to betrayal. "Honestly, it was crazy," Nurmagomedov later commented to MMA Junkie about the hostility fueling McGregor's criticisms, insisting Hughes is simply "a really good guy" who deserves respect.
The fight, described as ‘Dagestan vs Ireland 2’ due to the historical rivalry stemming from the animosity between McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, saw McGregor expressing his outrage through social media. Speaking about Hughes' decision to engage with Khabib Nurmagomedov, McGregor said, "I’m not like this other guy. I’m my own man," drawing attention to the historical tensions between MMA fighters from Northern Ireland and those from the Republic of Ireland.
Following the fight, McGregor did not hold back, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to fuel the fire with personal barbs. "Get off your flag, you little know-what-you-are c*** from up there," he posted, adding incendiary comments aimed at Hughes’ identity. Understandably, these comments did not sit well with Hughes and have drawn ire from many supporters of the Irishman.
Hughes, who has admitted he once looked up to McGregor, explained his lack of concern about McGregor’s remarks. "The Conor who said those things is just not the Conor we once knew," he explained, reflecting on how he reacted to the derogatory comments. He expressed indifference, saying he took the comments "with a pinch of salt" and emphasized how they did not shake his confidence or demeanor.
Taking the high road, Hughes also commented on the cultural significance of McGregor's remarks, highlighted by the legacy and tensions between those living in Northern Ireland and the Republic. "It's probably the most disrespectful thing you could say to a fellow Irishman, is to say he's not Irish just because I come from the north of the country," Hughes articulated, aiming to create dialogue around regional identities.
Usman Nurmagomedov also weighed in on the situation, urging McGregor to set a good example for his substantial following. "It’s hard for people right now, and you have to be a good example; when you show some bad examples, this is very bad," Nurmagomedov stated, implying the responsibility fighters have to their fans.
Hughes, expressing his aspirations and goals, mentioned wanting to bring high-class MMA events back to Belfast, his home city. He stated, "I certainly hope so. It’s one of my number one goals to sell out the SSE Arena," which seats 9,000, hoping for success on his rise up the ranks.
While Hughes remains focused on his career goals, he was clear about McGregor's role as a mentor having soured over the years. McGregor previously cornered Hughes during smaller bouts but has since fallen out of favor with him, largely because of his negative examples and behavior during and after fights.
It's evident through the statements of Nurmagomedov and Hughes alike, there is hope for positive role models within the MMA community. Hughes’ positioning points to the importance of respecting regional identities, which remains necessary amid the turbulent waters stirred by McGregor's outburst.
Indeed, Hughes sees this as something of great personal importance, noting how many young fans look up to fighters as examples. "You have to be good example for the people," he echoed Nurmagomedov’s sentiments, as they collectively look to inspire the next generation of athletes.
With tensions high and emotions frayed, this situation exemplifies how easily relationships can shift within the MMA sphere. Former allies can quickly become foes, and with McGregor's volatile social media portrayal, it seems clear his interactions today reflect far different attitudes than those of the idolized fighter Hughes had once admired.
Looking to the future, Hughes remains resilient, stating he hopes to achieve success above even his Northern Irish heritage. "I want at least two more fights this year, and if PFL had any sense, they would get us back to Belfast; it would be huge for my career," he concluded, highlighting how these current disagreements stand to bolster both fighters’ narratives moving forward, regardless of their recent tensions.