Khabib Nurmagomedov’s recent remarks about Irish MMA may have ignited a powder keg! The rivalry between Dagestan and Ireland gained legendary status with Conor McGregor’s fiery clash against Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. But as the MMA sphere gears up for a showdown between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes at a PFL event on January 25, ‘The Eagle’ reignited the old flames of the feud with sharp words aimed at Irish fighters.

The former UFC lightweight champion didn’t hold back in a recent interview, when he stated, “Ireland don’t have fighters, brother.  Let’s be honest. How many fighters do you know from Ireland? Paul Hughes and Conor [McGregor] and who else? There is no fighters.”  The harsh critique didn’t just draw attention, it sparked fiery rebuttals from Irish fighters Caolan Loughran and Hughes who took it a step further by leveling some serious accusations against Dagestani fighters!

Khabib Nurmagomedov comes under fire from Irish fighters as they unite in defense

Caolan Loughran, who currently competes in the UFC’s bantamweight division and held the bantamweight title in Cage Warriors fired off a shot on social media by stating, “We also don’t hide up mountains and fill our a** with juice.” A metaphorical uppercut, his words seemed to challenge the integrity of Dagestani fighters, hinting at performance-enhancing practices often speculated in MMA circles.

Paul Hughes, meanwhile, kept his response short but equally biting. “Dagestan number 1 at juicing, bratha,” he fired back, mirroring the sarcasm in Loughran’s remarks. The stakes are especially high for Hughes as he prepares to face Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator lightweight title, and his words added fuel to an already raging fire.

Taking a look at ‘The Eagle’s claims, his remarks stem from a place of undeniable dominance. Dagestan has become a powerhouse in MMA, producing champions like Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov. Their wrestle-heavy style, combined with an almost mythical discipline, has elevated them to a league of their own. In fact, at the upcoming UFC 311 card, Umar Nurmagomedov will be challenging for the bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili and can further add gold to Dagestan’s column.

Yet, the remarks about ‘juicing’ leveled against the region have certainly raised some eyebrows. Hughes’ upcoming opponent Usman Nurmagomedov was suspended for six months by the CSAC (California State Athletic Commission) back in 2023 because of testing positive for a prescription drug that had a banned substance in it. However, because he claimed the ingestion was accidental, he held on to his Bellator Lightweight title.

But what about Ireland? Despite its smaller pool of fighters, the country has left an indelible mark on MMA, thanks largely to Conor McGregor’s meteoric rise. Beyond McGregor, fighters like Ian Machado Garry have emerged as promising contenders. And with Hughes and Loughran leading a new generation, Irish MMA isn’t just about one man anymore.

Surprisingly, another name has also thrown his hat into the ring despite not being from Ireland! Although he has a history with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, it looks like ‘El Cucuy’ may have already picked his side in this feud.

Tony Ferguson draws battle lines over ‘The Eagle’s recent remarks  

While the reignited feud between Dagestan and Ireland has made waves in the MMA sphere, Tony Ferguson, known for his unpredictable antics, has stepped into the fiery feud. Though not without stirring the pot in his trademark style!

In a series of jabs on X, ‘El Cucuy’ fired off with, “Shut Up Fathead, Eure still my b****. ” The former UFC interim lightweight champion even accused Khabib Nurmagomedov of padding his early fight record with “2-round ‘pro’ fights.” The insult didn’t just hit hard; it also reignited the years-long tension between Ferguson and Nurmagomedov, whose fight was famously booked and canceled multiple times.

But Ferguson wasn’t done. His final blow? Calling ‘The Eagle’ a “coward” in a fiery sign-off. While the MMA veteran has no love for McGregor, this tirade makes one clear: Ferguson saw the comments as crossing the line.

Ultimately, the Dagestan-Ireland rivalry has developed into a multi-dimensional clash, stretching far beyond the Octagon. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s biting remarks have not only reignited tensions but also sparked passionate defenses from Irish fighters and unexpected allies like Tony Ferguson. As the MMA world looks ahead to the January 25 showdown between Paul Hughes and Usman Nurmagomedov, one question looms large: can Ireland’s underdogs topple Dagestan’s giants? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!