Irishman Paul Hughes says he’s unfazed by feedback from Khabib Nurmagomedov on Irish MMA fighters, saying he “does not care” in regards to the former UFC light-weight champion’s opinion.
In a video posted on X by the Skilled Fighters League (PFL), Khabib stated; “Eire do not have fighters, let’s be sincere. What number of fighters are you aware from Eire, Paul Hughes, Conor [McGregor] and who else?
“Eire stage of MMA isn’t even half of Dagestan stage.”
The video was posted to advertise Hughes’ upcoming Bellator Light-weight Championship title struggle in Dubai on 25 January in opposition to Khabib’s cousin and Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov.
However Derry fighter Hughes will not pay an excessive amount of consideration to the feedback from Khabib, who will likely be in his cousin’s nook for the competition within the United Arab Emirates.
“I used to be out with a buddy, and I noticed it and thought, ‘I do not actually care’. It is simply struggle stuff nevertheless it’s good for advertising and marketing, it is good he is doing that, however I do not actually care,” Hughes instructed BBC Sport NI.
“I respect him as a fighter, however I do not care what his opinion is.”
The 27-year-old admitted, although, that beating Usman can be even sweeter given Khabib will likely be there to witness it.
“Realizing he’ll be in Usman’s nook, I believe once I win, I will be like, ‘I instructed you so’, and that will likely be pleasurable as a competitor.”
