Earlier this week, Khabib Nurmagomedov reignited his longstanding feud with Conor McGregor by criticizing the state of Irish MMA.
Nurmagomedov and McGregor were at the centre of one of the most intense rivalries in combat sports history during their 2018 clash, a feud that continues to resonate throughout the MMA community.
Since retiring from competition, Nurmagomedov has shifted his focus to coaching. Later this month, his cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, is set to defend his Bellator lightweight title against Irish contender Paul Hughes.
Ireland vs. Russia: The MMA Feud Reignited by Khabib Nurmagomedov
As the highly anticipated bout approaches, some have dubbed it “Russia vs. Ireland 2,” a label Khabib Nurmagomedoc rejects, claiming that Ireland “doesn’t have any fighters.”
Russia has established itself as a powerhouse in MMA, consistently producing champions. In contrast, Conor McGregor remains the sole Irish fighter to have claimed a title in a major promotion.
However, Paul “Big News” Hughes, who will face Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator lightweight title, responded to Khabib’s dismissal of Irish MMA, stating confidently: “You just wait and see.”
Paul Hughes isn’t alone in defending Irish fighters. Former UFC star Darren Till also Criticised Khabib’s remarks, expressing his respect for the Russian’s accomplishments but disagreeing with his assessment. This was when Darren Till wrote on X (formally twitter to say;
“I’ve always respected Khabib and his team—they are fantastic fighters,”
“But to say fighters from Ireland are low-level? Considering the size of the country, Ireland is actually way ahead. Ireland is so f****** small, and Russia is so f****** big. Despite that, Ireland has produced amazing fighters over the years.”
“If you consider the size and production of the country, Ireland wins every time. And this isn’t me being biased—I’m not on Khabib’s side or Ireland’s side. It’s just my opinion.”
Darren Till’s Transition: From UFC to Influencer Boxing and Misfits Debut
Since departing the UFC in 2022, Darren Till has faced challenges staying active in combat sports. He explored the world of influencer boxing, aiming to secure substantial earnings before a potential return to the UFC.
The former welterweight title challenger has only competed once since leaving MMA – a brief exhibition boxing match that ended controversially after a post-fight altercation with Mohammad Mutie.
Despite this rocky start, Till is now hearing up for his Misfits Boxing debut. On January 18th, he will face former Bellator fighter Anthony Taylor, stepping in after Tommy Fury withdrew from the originally scheduled fight.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
