![Usman Nurmagomedov (right) on being compared to Khabib Nurmagomedov-Conor McGregor rivalry (left). [Image courtesy: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/07805-17376048056686-1920.jpg)
![Usman Nurmagomedov (right) on being compared to Khabib Nurmagomedov-Conor McGregor rivalry (left). [Image courtesy: Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Usman Nurmagomedov recently shared his thoughts on his rivalry with Paul Hughes being compared to the one shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. The Bellator lightweight champion appeared to welcome the comparison and claimed that Irish MMA didn't quite match up to the Dagestani style.
Nurmagomedov is set to face the Irish MMA star at PFL: Road to Dubai: Champions Series in UAE this weekend. Given the fierce rivalry between McGregor and Usman's legendary cousin, it's unsurprising that many compared it to the Bellator champion's strife with Hughes. The two notably had a heated faceoff recently where some bold threats were exchanged.
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In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Nurmagomedov addressed fans comparing his rivalry with Hughes to the one his cousin shared with McGregor. Making it clear that it was just a sports rivalry, he said:
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"This is Dagestan vs. Ireland in sports, not from people. 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."
Usman Nurmagomedov on Paul Hughes' chances against him at PFL title fight
Usman Nurmagomedov recently shared his thoughts on Paul Hughes and the Irishman's chances against him in the title fight this weekend. The Dagestani MMA star dismissed Hughes as a serious opponent and questioned the Irishman's game plan.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Nurmagomedov confidently asserted that Hughes was no match for him and said:
"He said when he punches me, something will change – but who can do that? Someone has punched me? Never. No. Nobody can touch me. … 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."
Catch Usman Nurmagomedov's comments below (10:00):
