Former UFC light-weight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has reignited his rivalry with Eire and its fighters after making controversial remarks in regards to the state of Irish MMA. Talking in a current interview with the PFL, Nurmagomedov downplayed Eire’s contributions to combined martial arts, claiming its expertise pool pales compared to that of his native Dagestan.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Eire
“Eire don’t have fighters, brother,” Khabib Nurmagomedov stated. “Let’s be trustworthy. What number of fighters are you aware from Eire? Paul Hughes and Conor [McGregor], and who else? There isn’t any fighter, brother.” He went additional, evaluating the ability ranges between the 2 areas: “Dagestan stage of MMA [is] right here,” he stated, gesturing excessive, “however Eire stage? Not even half of Dagestan stage.”
Khabib’s feedback come simply weeks earlier than a significant conflict between his cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, and Eire’s Paul Hughes for the Bellator light-weight title on January 25, 2025. The battle has already been dubbed “Dagestan vs. Eire 2.0,” a callback to the heated Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor bout at UFC 229 in 2018.
Paul Hughes wasted no time firing again. Responding to Khabib’s remarks, he stated, “Simply wait until I get my fingers on yo boy,” in a pointed message aimed toward Usman Nurmagomedov.
Darren Until
Among the many voices reacting to Khabib’s statements was former UFC contender Darren Until, who got here to Eire’s protection. Until, identified for his bluntness, identified the spectacular achievements of Irish MMA regardless of the nation’s small inhabitants.
“I’ve all the time revered Khabib and his group; they’re unbelievable fighters,” Until stated. “However for him to sit down there and say fighters from Eire are low-level? Contemplating the scale distinction between Russia and Eire, Eire is definitely means forward.
“Eire is so fing small, and Russia is so fing large. Eire has produced wonderful fighters through the years. Simply based mostly on dimension and manufacturing, Eire wins each time. This isn’t me being biased—I’m not associates with Khabib’s aspect or Eire’s aspect—I’m simply stating my opinion.”
Khabib’s remarks have reignited a long-standing pressure between Dagestan and Eire in MMA, drawing sturdy reactions from followers and fighters alike. Whereas some view his feedback as an extension of his rivalry with McGregor. The upcoming Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes battle is now below even larger scrutiny.
