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Usman Nurmagomedov Compares Rivalry with Paul Hughes to Iconic Khabib vs. Conor Feud

Usman Nurmagomedov Compares His Rivalry with Paul Hughes to Iconic Khabib vs. Conor Feud Move over Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, there’s a new Russia vs. Ireland rivalry in town. On Saturday, January…

Move over Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, there’s a new Russia vs. Ireland rivalry in town.

On Saturday, January 24, reigning Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov will put his gold on the line when the PFL heads to Dubai for a Champions Series event inside the Coca-Cola Arena. In the main event of the evening, the undefeated Dagestani will defend his title against surging Irish star Paul Hughes in a bout that has become just as much personal as it is business.

In the weeks leading up to their scrap, tensions have flared, much of it having to do with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s comments about the lack of legitimate fighters from Ireland, especially when compared to Dagestan’s influx of emerging stars.

“Ireland don’t have fighters, brother,” Khabib told the PFL. “Let’s be honest. How many fighters do you know from Ireland? Paul Hughes and Conor [McGregor], and who else? There is no fighters.”

Adding his take on the debate during an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Usman Nurmagomedov echoed Khabib’s comments adding that ‘The Eagle’ showed the world why Dagestan stands above Ireland in mixed martial arts, a reference to the former UFC lightweight champion’s submission victory over Irish megastar Conor McGregor in 2018.

“This is Dagestan vs. Ireland in sports, not from people,” Usman Nurmagomedov said. “We cannot touch national… Sounds good, why not?… I think our level, big different than Ireland. Khabib showed this to people, and Inshaallah, I will show it, too.”

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Nurmagomedov insists paul Hughes has no way to win

As for Paul Hughes’ chances of dethroning the Dagestani in Dubai on Saturday, Nurmagomedov can’t say any path to victory for his Irish opposition.

“He said when he punches me, something will change – but who can do that? Someone has punched me? Never. No. Nobody can touch me,” Nurmagomedov added. “Sometimes, I’m really thinking like, ‘How can he beat me? How?’ Even striking, I’m much better than him in striking. I don’t know what his plan is for this fight, but I will follow my plans and do my job. I don’t care what he will do.”

The Road to Dubai Champions Series card is scheduled to air at 11 am ET, 4 pm GMT. Fans in the United States can catch all the action live on MAX while fans around the world can tune in on DAZN.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Offers Cousin Umar Sage Advice on Title Shot Drama: ‘Keep pushing forward’

Khabib Nurmagomedov encouraged his cousin and No. 2 bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov to stay the course amid his recent…

Khabib Nurmagomedov encouraged his cousin and No. 2 bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov to stay the course amid his recent title shot turmoil.

With a win over Cory Sandhagen over the summer, the up-and-coming Nurmagomedov was practically guaranteed a shot at the bantamweight belt. However, those plans may have changed after Merab Dvalishvili scored a decisive victory over Sean O’Malley to claim the division’s top prize at UFC 306 in Las Vegas.

Since bringing the gold back home to Georgia, ‘The Machine’ has insisted that his next fight be a rematch with O’Malley instead of squaring off with the next man in line.

“I’m not scared of no one, only God,” Dvalishvili told fans during a Q&A last week. “Where is this guy [Nurmagomedov] Where? He’s taking fights, he’s scared, he’s fighting somebody else, where is he? Where is he? Tell me. He wants to get knocked out from somebody and then he’s gonna make excuse… He’s not going to make this fight. I’m not making fight.

“Dana White and Hunter [Campbell] making decision to who I’m going to fight next. I don’t make decision. I never make decision. If Dana White tell me I have to fight Umar, I’ll fight Umar. But you know what, Umar doesn’t deserve to fight me. Sean O’Malley deserve to fight me and I’m going to rematch him.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov sends a word of encouragement

Khabib Nurmagomdeov found himself in a similar situation when he was passed up for a lightweight title opportunity in favor of Conor McGregor at UFC 205 in November 2016. ‘The Eagle’ would have to wait two more years before getting his shot.

Even Islam Makhachev had to string together 10-straight wins in the division before challenging Charles Oliveira for the 155-pound crown at UFC 280.

Speaking from experience, the Hall of Famer encouraged his cousin to keep calm and keep moving forward because one day, everyone would be lining up to fight him.

“Islam [Makhachev] and I have already been in his place,” Khabib explained. “This is called a transition period. Over time, everyone will want to fight you. Just keep pushing forward” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from mixed martial arts in 2020 following a third-straight defense of the lightweight world title. He closed out his career with a perfect 29-0 record and noteworthy wins against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.

Report: Islam Makhachev Confirms Khabib’s Status For UFC 284

If there were any doubts about Khabib’s commitment to leaving MMA, one need not look any further than a report that emerged over the weekend. Recently, it was revealed that Khabib Nurmagomedov would be stepping away from MMA to spend more time wi…

Continue Reading Report: Islam Makhachev Confirms Khabib’s Status For UFC 284 at MMA News.

Javier Mendez confirms Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to walk away from MMA coaching setup

American Kickboxing Academy head coach, Javier Mendez has confirmed former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to walk away from his coaching role in mixed martial arts, in order to spend time with his family. Khabib, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the banner of the UFC, retired from active competition back in […]

Khabib, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the banner of the UFC, retired from active competition back in 2020 having improved to 29-0 professionally courtesy of a second round triangle win over Justin Gaethje to unify the lightweight championships.

In the time since, Khabib has turned his hand to coaching – guiding both Islam Makhachev, and Usman Nurmagomedov to undisputed lightweight gold under the banners of the UFC and Bellator MMA in the last year.

However, recently, speculation has rose regarding the coaching future of Khabib, with Russian manager and Eagle FC CEO, Rizvan Magomedov confirming his doubts that the Dagestan native would corner Makhachev at UFC 284 on February 11.

“I think he (Khabib Nurmagomedov) made it clear and it was such a balanced decision that he approached for a long time,” Rizvan Magomedov said during an interview with Russian outlet, Match TV. “There is no need to look for any behind-the-scenes reasons or radical incidents there. He just came to this. He ended his career in 2020, but travels during training camps, during fights. Out of 12 months, he is 10 absent from home, constantly on these trips.”

“And he (Khabib Nurmagomedov) came to such a decision that it was time to spend time with his family, [and] devote time to children. And, most likely, he will miss this fight (Islam Makhachaev vs. Alexander Volkanovski), yes.”

Javier Mendez addresses Khabib Nurmagomedov’s future as a coach in MMA

Following Magomedov’s revelation of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s uncertain future in the sport entirely, AKA head coach, Mendez has confirmed his long-time student is set to take a step away from the coaching setup.

“Yes, he (Khabib Nurmagoemdov) told me, unlike the last time when he promised his mother that he would retire from competition and I was not aware of it, this one here, he informed me about three weeks out that this is what he was gonna do,” Javier Mendez told Submission Radio. “He wants to spend time with his family, and I one hundred per cent I’m with him on what he wants to do and the reasons why he wants to do it.”

“There’s no legit reasons more than family for him and giving them what they deserve, the time, you know, while they’re young,” Mendez explained. “And he never said forever, but there’s gonna be a while though I would imagine. Unles something happens where he really misses that and he really feels he’s needed. But right now, I think everybody is good with his decision and very happy for him.”

Khabib Reveals The One Celebrity He’d Fight With A Hilarious Explanation

Khabib Nurmagomedov has a rather unique idea on how to cement himself as the “Michael Jordan of MMA.” Last year, we ran a story that described Khabib as going “full Michael Jordan.” This was because, like Jordan decades earlier,…

Continue Reading Khabib Reveals The One Celebrity He’d Fight With A Hilarious Explanation at MMA News.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Lists Favorite Moment Of UFC Career

Ahead of his UFC Hall of Fame induction on Thursday, Khabib Nurmagomedov singled out his favorite career moment. Khabib Nurmagomedov may well be the consensus greatest lightweight of all time. He earned this distinction by steamrolling one opponent aft…

Continue Reading Khabib Nurmagomedov Lists Favorite Moment Of UFC Career at MMA News.