Khabib Nurmagomedov has reignited his fierce feud with Conor McGregor this week, stirring controversy with pointed remarks about the state of Irish mixed martial arts (MMA). While previewing the upcoming Bellator lightweight title fight between his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov and Ireland's Paul Hughes, Khabib declared, "Ireland don’t have fighters, brother. Let’s be honest. How many fighters do you know from Ireland? Paul Hughes and Conor. And who else?" These brash statements came during his buildup to the January 25 bout, which is set to take place in Dubai.
This latest spat isn’t just the clash of two competitors, but rather it reflects the long-standing rivalry between the Dagestani and Irish fighters, propelled by the infamous bout at UFC 229 back in 2018. At the time, Khabib submitted McGregor in the fourth round, but what followed escalated the feud to unprecedented levels, with the rivalry taking on new dimensions through social media even after Khabib’s retirement.
After Khabib's recent comments, several fighters weighed in. Former UFC star Darren Till came to the defense of Irish MMA, asserting the country’s fighting legacy. Till claimed Ireland's smaller size didn’t detract from its ability to produce top-tier fighters, igniting backlash from fans who were quick to reference Dagestan's own smaller geographical area. Meanwhile, McGregor didn’t remain silent; he uploaded a video montage ridiculing the Dagestani style, contrasting it with the so-called 'McGregor UFC era'.
While McGregor and his supporters took the jab with humor, Khabib wasn’t finished. He later shared another video of McGregor’s iconic quote, "We’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over," starkly juxtaposed with clips of Khabib’s brutal ground-and-pound performance against McGregor during their last encounter. This video, captioned, "He spoke and we came and did deeds above words," reignited the flames of their rivalry.
Current UFC stars weren’t the only ones to take part; Tony Ferguson also added his voice to the debate, sniping at Khabib on social media by saying, "Shut Up Fathead. You fought 2 round ‘pro’ padded fights leading up to the UFC." Ferguson's comments highlight the competitive age of both men, whose paths never crossed, yet share common sentiments of both rivalry and respect within the sport.
The echoes from the past are palpable, and as Khabib’s cousin prepares for his fight, fans are questioning whether this renewed hostility could lead to another showdown between the two iconic fighters. While Khabib retired undefeated, he still actively coaches and trains fighters, ensuring he remains deeply tied to the sport.
Khabib's statements have sparked conversations about national pride and regional identities within MMA. He asserts the dominance of Dagestani fighters, stating, "We dominate amateur MMA, and it’s not even close—not just compared to Irish fighters but the whole world." He added, "Show me Irish fighters who are currently title contenders in the top 3 MMA promotions. At best, you might be able to name 1 or 2 fighters. The facts speak for themselves.”
Conor McGregor has yet to fully respond at the time of writing, but his notorious reputation implies this is far from over. McGregor’s fiery demeanor typically leads to explosive social media interactions, and with this feud—one characterized by verbal and physical fireworks dating back to their clash—there’s no telling where these sparring matches will lead.
Sonnen, another notable voice, emphasized the success of Dagestan fighters, quipping, "Seven of them have Olympic gold medals. That is crazy." His reflection on the abilities coming from Dagestan highlights the strength of the region’s fighters, making it clear why Khabib feels so passionately about the quality disparity between Irish and Dagestani MMA.
Will this rivalry dissolve with time? Or are we witnessing the buildup to another monumental clash? Only time will tell, but what remains clear is the enduring legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov versus Conor McGregor—a saga constantly fueled by competitive fire and national pride.