From Admirer to Critic: Paul Hughes and Conor McGregor’s Evolving Relationship
Like many Irish fighters, Paul Hughes grew up idolizing Conor McGregor. McGregor’s rise to stardom in combat sports brought unprecedented attention and pride to Ireland, making him a hero for many. However, in recent years, McGregor’s legacy has been overshadowed by his outspoken and often controversial persona, particularly in interviews, press conferences, and on social media. This shift became particularly evident in July 2021 when McGregor suffered a gruesome broken leg during a bout against Dustin Poirier, marking his last appearance in the octagon. Since then, his public presence has been dominated by his inflammatory rhetoric, which has often been directed at fighters and their families, including the recent tirade against Paul Hughes.
The Twitter Tirade and the Irish Identity
Following a grueling five-round battle against Usman Nurmagomedov, which many consider one of the best fights of the year, Hughes showed respect to his opponent and his coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, in the cage. This gesture of sportsmanship did not sit well with McGregor, who went on a viral Twitter rant targeting Hughes. McGregor’s comments were not only derogatory but also incredibly disrespectful, especially given the sensitive history and tensions between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Hughes, who represents Ireland and carries the country’s flag into the cage, was particularly hurt by McGregor’s comments questioning his Irish identity.
“It was obviously a very extreme kind of viewpoint that he was taking,” Hughes told MMA Fighting. “Obviously an unbelievably disrespectful one. It’s probably the most disrespectful thing you could say to a fellow Irishman is that he’s not Irish just because I come from the north of the country.” McGregor’s comments, which have since been deleted, included a direct attack on Hughes’s use of the Irish flag, with McGregor writing, “Get that flag off you. You little know what you are c*nt from up there.”
Navigating Personal and Professional Boundaries
Despite the inflammatory nature of McGregor’s comments, Hughes has taken a measured and thoughtful approach in his response. He acknowledges the source of the criticism and the person McGregor has become over the years. “Look as I’ve talked about a couple of times now, I didn’t take it very personally,” Hughes explained. “Because unfortunately it’s not the Conor that we once knew. So people are saying, ‘Is it hard to hear that from someone you looked up to?’ I kind of take it with a pinch of salt for that reason. It is what it is. I wasn’t distraught about what he said, put it like that.”
Hughes’s response reflects a deeper understanding of the person who once inspired him and the changes that have occurred. “Unfortunately it seems that way [he’s just not the same person anymore],” Hughes continued. “I certainly hope it doesn’t stay that way. I wish all the best.” This maturity and empathy are crucial in navigating the personal and professional boundaries in a complex and sometimes toxic environment.
The Nurmagomedov Connection and the Rivalry
A significant part of McGregor’s anger stemmed from the respect Hughes showed to the Nurmagomedov family in the cage. Hughes made a point of telling them he is his own man and “not like this other guy,” an obvious reference to McGregor. McGregor, who continues to harbor resentment towards fighters from Dagestan, especially after his fourth-round submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018, sees any sign of respect towards the Nurmagomedovs as a betrayal. However, Hughes is not part of McGregor’s old team or a close personal friend, and he sees no reason to be dragged into McGregor’s long-standing feud.
“It doesn’t,” Hughes responded when asked if McGregor’s problems with the Nurmagomedov family suddenly became his problem. “You seen then after the fight the mutual respect that we had. Everybody kind of left going that was good. We had a five-rounder, we sold the place out, we fought really hard and we have mutual respect for each other after as martial arts should be.”
Marketing and Mutual Respect
Hughes acknowledges the marketing potential of the Ireland vs. Dagestan narrative, which he himself initiated. “I understand things how the narrative was trying to be pushed and I understand that. I get it from a marketing perspective and at the end of the day, I was the one that first came up with Ireland vs. Dagestan 2. I created that narrative and it was good marketing I believe. It doesn’t mean that there has to be extreme personal hatred. To me it’s competition and that’s always what it was for me.”
Moving Forward with Professionalism and Respect
Despite McGregor’s personal vendettas, Hughes remains focused on his career and the respect he has for his opponents. He is eager to avenge his loss to Usman Nurmagomedov in a rematch, but it’s purely professional. “Look of course there’s mutual respect there,” Hughes said. “I respect anybody on the planet that gets in that cage gets my respect, regardless of what level it’s at. Now of course if you’re a successful athlete where I’m at, I know what it takes to get there and I know the sacrifices that you must [go through] to get here. I have respect for all these guys.”
Hughes’s professional and respectful demeanor in the face of public controversy underscores his commitment to the spirit of martial arts and the integrity of his sport.
