Transfer over Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, there’s a brand new Russia vs. Eire rivalry on the town.
On Saturday, January 24, reigning Bellator light-weight champion Usman Nurmagomedov will put his gold on the road when the PFL heads to Dubai for a Champions Collection occasion contained in the Coca-Cola Area. In the primary occasion of the night, the undefeated Dagestani will defend his title towards surging Irish star Paul Hughes in a bout that has turn out to be simply as a lot private as it’s enterprise.
Within the weeks main as much as their scrap, tensions have flared, a lot of it having to do with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s feedback concerning the lack of authentic fighters from Eire, particularly when in comparison with Dagestan’s inflow of rising stars.
“Ireland don’t have fighters, brother,” Khabib informed the PFL. “Let’s be honest. How many fighters do you know from Ireland? Paul Hughes and Conor [McGregor], and who else? There is no fighters.”
Including his tackle the controversy throughout an unique interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Usman Nurmagomedov echoed Khabib’s feedback including that ‘The Eagle’ confirmed the world why Dagestan stands above Eire in blended martial arts, a reference to the previous UFC light-weight champion’s submission victory over Irish megastar Conor McGregor in 2018.
“This is Dagestan vs. Ireland in sports, not from people,” Usman Nurmagomedov stated. “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.”
Nurmagomedov insists paul Hughes has no option to win
As for Paul Hughes’ probabilities of dethroning the Dagestani in Dubai on Saturday, Nurmagomedov can’t say any path to victory for his Irish opposition.
“He said when he punches me, something will change – but who can do that? Someone has punched me? Never. No. Nobody can touch me,” Nurmagomedov added. “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.”
The Highway to Dubai Champions Collection card is scheduled to air at 11 am ET, 4 pm GMT. Followers in the US can catch all of the motion reside on MAX whereas followers all over the world can tune in on DAZN.
