Usman Nurmagomedov reacts to Dagestan vs. Ireland MMA debate, not sure why Paul Hughes got title shot 

01/24/2025 04:00 PM

Usman Nurmagomedov doesn't want to start a war with the country of Ireland but he really sees no comparison when it comes to MMA fighters from there versus his home nation of Dagestan.

A war of words was ignited between fighters from the two countries when Khabib Nurmagomedov declared "Ireland don't have fighters … Dagestan level of MMA [up] here but Ireland level? Not even half of Dagestan level." While plenty of athletes from Ireland disagreed with that assessment, Nurmagomedov says his coach and cousin make a valid point that's not really debatable.

"We don't have some beef with Ireland people," Nurmagomedov told MMA Fighting. "But if we talk about MMA fighters from Ireland and from Dagestan, this is a different level.

"Because of course we can watch right now like how many fighters from Ireland are champion in UFC, in Bellator, in any organization and watch how many fighters from Dagestan are there now? We don't like talking. We love doing. We're doing but talking all this this media, this is the job for other people. Our work, this is doing."

It's tough to argue against Nurmagomedov's logic given the long list of champions that Dagestan has produced across numerous major promotions.

But he's not really concerning himself with sparking a rivalry with Irish fighters because he's only thinking about one of them right now and his name is Paul Hughes.

On Jan. 25, Nurmagomedov defends his title against Hughes in the main event for the PFL Champion Series card in Dubai as he attempts to remain undefeated while adding yet another challenger to his growing resume of victories.

Hughes got the opportunity to face Nurmagomedov after only two fights under the PFL banner, which included a win over former Bellator featherweight champion A.J. McKee that effectively got him the title shot.

While Nurmagomedov never turns down fights when the PFL comes calling with an offer, he doesn't quite understand how Hughes got in this position.

"I don't know why these guys give him a title shot after two fights in the promotion," Nurmagomedov said. "He has only two fights in 155 pounds. This is only two fights. Before he fought at 145. But I don't care, I don't choose. If PFL gives me someone, I will do my job and that's it."

In his opinion, Nurmagomedov views Hughes as just another person trying to make a name by fighting him but he doesn't stand to gain nearly as much from this matchup.

"Honestly, Paul Hughes don't have a name in MMA," Nurmagomedov said. "Who said his name in MMA? Who knows Paul Hughes?

"This is the same history with [Alexandr] Shabliy and with everyone who will fight with me. Everyone will use my name to try and [promote his own]. We see what happened with Alexandr Shabliy. For me, for my opinion, Alexandr Shabliy is much better than Paul Hughes everywhere."

Nurmagomedov defeated Shabliy in a lopsided decision in his most recent outing and he expects to dispatch Hughes in even more dominant fashion when they clash on Saturday.

In fact, Nurmagomedov wasn't all that impressed by what he saw out of Hughes in his split decision in over McKee and he doesn't expect the Irish fighter would fare all that well if he had to face Shabliy instead.

"I saw this fight. A very close fight," Nurmagomedov said about Hughes vs. McKee. "If judges give AJ McKee [the win], no one will say this is a wrong decisions. For me, it was a draw. He is not on my level. I will show this. Maybe he thinks he's on my level only because he came inside, [land] a couple of punches and go outside but no. You know who I am and how I'm working. When these guys are with me in the cage, they're different. Outside, they're different. We'll see.

"For me, if Alexandr Shabliy would face Paul Hughes, Alexandr will finish him in the first round. That's my opinion. Whoever understands MMA understands this is true. For Shabliy, this is an easy fight with Paul Hughes."

If he's successful, Nurmagomedov would move to 19-0 with one no contest in his career and he'd further cement himself as one of the top lightweights across all MMA.

At just 26 years old, Nurmagomedov has already put together an impressive resume and his coach believes he could surpass every record set in this sport by the time he's done.

"Very, very easy he can put his name in the top five greatest fighters of all-time," Khabib Nurmagomedov said about his cousin. "He's only 26, can you imagine after four years, when he becomes 30. [The] next 7, 10 years, he can be on top very, very easily. Can you imagine if he fights 15, 16, 17 more fights? I think he has [the] ability to be there."

Hearing that from somebody as accomplished as the retired UFC lightweight champion might intimidate some fighters but Nurmagomedov not only appreciates the compliment but he wants to live up to those lofty expectations.

"For me, it means I have to work more than I train right now," Nurmagomedov said. "Obviously, I think in my opinion, too, I can be one of the best fighters ever, one of the best fighters of all time. I think I can do this. I will push my best, Inshallah, if Allah gives me health and Allah gives me everything, I will do this, Inshallah. I will try, why not?

"For me it's just motivation. It motivates me to work harder. Thank Allah, it's going to be my motivation and that's why I will become the greatest fighter."