Conor McGregor criticized Usman Nurmagomedov’s victory over Paul Hughes, claiming Hughes deserved the win and expressing his long-standing disdain for the Nurmagomedov family, stemming from his rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
It’s no secret that Conor McGregor has a bit of a biased view regarding the Nurmagomedov clan. After Usman Nurmagomedov’s razor-thin victory over Paul Hughes at PFL Dubai, McGregor had some spicy thoughts to share. Despite the fight being a nail-biter between top-tier lightweights, McGregor was convinced Hughes should’ve taken the win. He didn’t hold back on his opinions about Usman or the fighting legacy of the Nurmagomedovs.
“Tremendous fight and performance,” McGregor tweeted, praising Hughes. “Easy win for Hughes. He dominated that fight.” Then came the jab: “[Usman] exactly what it says on the tin — a Nurmagomedov. Runner, sprinter, bolter, scarper, scurrying ‘fighter.'” Ouch.
McGregor didn’t stop there. He went on to slam the entire Nurmagomedov family as “non-fighting fighters” from Dagestan. According to him, they are known more for their evasive tactics than actual fighting prowess. Strong words from someone with a storied history against them.
This isn’t just talk; it’s personal. McGregor’s beef with the Nurmagomedovs traces back to his infamous rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov in the UFC octagon. Remember UFC 229 in 2018? Khabib gave McGregor a beatdown before locking in a brutal rear-naked choke to seal the deal in round four.
And who could forget the chaos post-fight? Khabib leapt over the cage targeting McGregor’s team, sparking a wild brawl that security struggled to contain. The drama was off the charts!
Though McGregor loves taking shots at anyone bearing the Nurmagomedov name, Khabib has moved on since retiring undefeated in 2020. He’s now a top coach, guiding his cousin Usman and friend Islam Makhachev to championship glory in PFL and UFC respectively.
McGregor himself has been on hiatus since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021. While he’s eyeing a comeback in 2025, don’t expect him to face any Nurmagomedovs right away.
Yet, this doesn’t stop McGregor from firing shots whenever he can. Usman’s currently wearing the bullseye jacket, courtesy of “The Notorious” himself.