Khabib Nurmagomedov mending fences with with Palestine support of Ireland leaves fans in awe: “Conor gotta be punching air…”

Khabib Nurmagomedov interrupts Usman Nurmagomedov’s interview with Irish praise after Paul Hughes Champions Series: Road to Dubai fight.

Khabib Nurmagomedov mending fences with with Palestine support of Ireland leaves fans in awe: “Conor gotta be punching air…”

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Irish MMA beef hits turning point after Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes (Source: X/IMAGO)

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov had bad blood with Ireland and Conor McGregor since 2018. Nurmagomedov recently went viral for his thoughts on Irish MMA recently as well. However, he seems to have changed his stance after cousin Usman Nurmagomedov’s win last night. Usman narrowly won a controversial decision against Paul Hughes in the Champions Series: Road to Dubai event.

Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Paul Hughes via majority decision for Bellator lightweight title. In the aftermath, it was Irishman Hughes and his performance at Champions Series: Road to Dubai at Coca-Cola Arena that turned heads. Nurmagomedov said the experience was one he can learn from now. During Usman’s post-fight interview with Dan Hardy, Khabib interrupted with a rare compliment.

I know this is not my time to talk, I just want to say one thing, ….With all the things between me and [McGregor] when we were fighting…Don’t forget, Ireland is the biggest supporter in the world for Palestine. Don’t forget about this. We love you guys! You, your government, everybody…When we’re inside the cage, it’s only competition. MMA, all about respect. We love you guys because you guys support our brother in Palestine.

Khabib Nurmagomedov during PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai (Series 6) DAZN PPV post-fight ring interview
YouTube video

Palestine and Israel have been at war with each other for more than a year now, with no clear end in sight. For Palestinians trying to leave the war-torn region, Ireland has been a haven. His cousin iterated that they hold no ill will toward Ireland or Irish MMA before Champions Series: Road to Dubai. Now, Khabib Nurmagomedov does much the same.

FS Video

The Dagestan vs. Irish MMA rivalry has been a well-documented one since the UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor PPV event. Ever since “The Notorious” has been too eager to stretch the rivalry at every occasion. However, performance like Paul Hughes commands its dues, and Khabib gave it to him. As such, the mutual respect and Irish call-up have gone quite viral.

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Fight fans take to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s support for Ireland after cousin’s PFL win

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Irish MMA as a whole have always had a tough run. Nurmagomedov made headlines dissing the talent of Irish MMA in a PFL MMA media sitdown for #RoadtoDubai. It even triggered lightweight title contender Paul Hughes in the process.

Fans react to Khabib Nurmagomedov's Champions Series: Road to Dubai pro-Irish sentiments
Fans react to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Champions Series: Road to Dubai pro-Irish sentiments (Source: X)

The animosity between Khabib and McGregor is unlikely to diminish. Last year, Khabib owed $3.3 million (or just over 300 million rubles) to the Russian Federal Agency. McGregor once again took to dissing the ‘Eagle’ scum for it, on scouting UAE citizenship.

But Khabib’s post-fight comments show there’s an opening for mutual respect between Dagestan and Ireland. With Usman Nurmagomedov lauding his opponent’s forward-stalking pressure and strikes, it’s all but respect. Subsequently, comments have poured in on Khabib showering praises on the Irish and getting a cheer for it.

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A prime reaction (@PedoHntrTelAviv) quipped “Conor gotta be punching air seeing Irish people cheer khabib on lmao.” It has shades of when Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov invited McGregor to their camp despite a brewing rivalry and an array of insults. Nevertheless, the chapter between Usman and Hughes remains unfinished.

Related: “We are all god’s children…” UFC 302 fighter sends pro-Palestine message amidst genocide