McGregor Rips Usman’s Win Over Hughes! – ‘The Nurmagomedovs Are Not Fighters’

January 26, 2025
3 weeks
McGregor Rips Usman’s Win Over Hughes! - 'The Nurmagomedovs Are Not Fighters'

Conor McGregor has lashed out at Usman Nurmagomedov’s controversial win against Paul Hughes at the PFL Dubai Road to Champions event. 

Nurmagomedov retained his Bellator Lightweight Title with a majority decision win: 48-46, 48-46, and 47-47. The victory took his undefeated record to 19-0 and one contest. The controversial talking point came in the fourth round. Hughes had buzzed Usman, only for the pair to clash heads. The referee stopped the fight after Hughes was pouring with blood following a cut. That removed the momentum he had achieved, allowing Usman to survive a tricky period. McGregor had a lot to say, given he has a history with the Nurmagomedov family.

He took on Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in one of the biggest UFC fights. There was a lot of trash talk in the build-up, with McGregor even throwing a chair at Khabib’s team bus. The result did not go McGregor’s way, as he was submitted in the fourth round. There were suggestions McGregor was going to attend the event to be in Hughes’ corner. That would have seen him face off against Khabib again but in a coaching capacity. That never happened, but it did not stop McGregor from having his say. He hit out the decision, questioning the Nurmagomedov fighting family. 

McGregor Reacts

“Tremendous fight and performance! Easy win for Hughes, he DOMINATED THAT FIGHT. And Umar exactly what it says on the tin, a Nurmagomedov. Runner, sprinter, bolter, scarper, scurrying “fighter”. The Nurmagomedovs are not fighters. They are the most non fighting fighters out of Dagestan and all time. Run away around the cage and shoot ass. Dagestan is better than the Nurmagomedovs and that is a FACT,” McGregor said

McGregor’s comments also followed Usman’s admission that he had overlooked Hughes. The Irishman entered into the fight with two wins on the spin. Victories over AJ McKee and Bobby King showed that he was no pushover. The Irishman also had plenty of doubters to prove wrong. Khabib questioned the nature of Irish MMA, saying that only Hughes and McGregor were well-known fighters. He compared it to Dagestan, highlighting the disparity in talent. But Usman’s following comments showed Hughes could be proud of his performance. 

“Paul Hughes, brother, you are the man, brother. You’re really the man. Brother, you are tough. Honestly, I underestimated this guy. Whew. It was my little mistake, but still undefeated, undisputed, Bellator lightweight champion, Usman Nurmagomedov. His wrestling defense, takedown defense [went] very well. He’s tough, he’s strong. I didn’t think he would be this strong, brother. Brother, you are really strong [laughs]. You tell me in the face to face, this was my mistake, you were right, brother. Thank you so much,” Nurmagomedov stated

Full Card

Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via MD

Vadim Nemkov def. Tim Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) — 3:08, R1

Akhmed Magomedov def. Nathan Kelly via submission (rear-naked choke) — 4:22, R2

Ibragim Ibragimov def. Kenny Mokhonoana via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Renat Khavalov def. Cleiver Fernandes via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Ahmed Sami def. Tarek Suleiman via TKO (punches) — 5:00, R1

Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Mike Thompson via technical submission (arm-triangle choke) — 2:50, R2

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def. Ruel Panales via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

John Mitchell def. Souhil Tairi via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Haider Khan def. Mostafa Nada via TKO (arm injury) — 3:18, R1

Talal Alqallaf def. Saeed Alhosani via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-27)

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