Khabib Nurmagomedov reignites the Dagestan vs. Irish MMA debate with a sly dig at Conor McGregor

MMA fans and pundits are once again divided between Dagestan and Ireland as the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor reignites.

Usman Nurmagomedov, cousin of Khabib, will face Irish fighter Paul Hughes at Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai, with PFL promoting the fight as the second episode of Dagestan vs. Ireland. The UFC Hall of Famer will be in Usman's corner, but it's unclear whether 'The Notorious' will be present for Hughes.

‘The Eagle’ and McGregor are not missing a chance to take jabs at each other. It all started when PFL interviewed Nurmagomedov, who drew a comparison between the MMA landscapes of Ireland and his own country. He labeled Irish fighters as far inferior, claiming that Dagestani fighters are dominating many MMA promotions.

Khabib reshared a video on his Instagram story featuring a clip of the first simultaneous two-division champion, Conor McGregor, saying, "We're not here to take part, we're here to take over!" The video then transitions to a sequence showcasing Khabib's punches on McGregor during their bout at UFC 229, followed by clips of several prominent Russian fighters. Khabib wrote (Translated by Google):

"He spoke and we came and did deeds beyond words.”

Check out the screenshot of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Instagram story below:

Screenshot of Khabib Nurmagomedov's Instagram story. [Image courtesy: @khabib_nurmagomedov on Instagram]

---

When Khabib Nurmagomedov clapped back at Conor McGregor over patriotic remarks

In an interview in 2019, Conor McGregor questioned Khabib Nurmagomedov's love for his country, stating that he didn't carry his country's flag with him during fights.

During the UFC Moscow (UFC Fight Night: Magomedsharipov vs. Kattar) event, Khabib was asked why he didn't carry the flag with him. He took a jab, seemingly directed at McGregor, and responded by mentioning McGregor's behavior outside of the octagon. Khabib said:

"Good question. I was expecting it. People who wear flags say that they represent their native land. But, unlike them, I don't rape women, don't beat old people, don't tell people to drink alcohol."

"I represent in my own way. I don't believe that if you wear a flag you're a patriot, and if you don't then you're not. There are many things that you must do before you raise that flag. It's not enough to just raise it. You have to show good character," he added.

Check out Khabib Nurmagomedov’s comments below: