A Lingering Rivalry
It’s been over six years since Khabib Nurmagomedov triumphed over Conor McGregor in a highly anticipated UFC lightweight title bout, but the animosity lingers, at least from one side. After Paul Hughes suffered a tough loss to Usman Nurmagomedov at a recent PFL event in Dubai, he made a point to show respect to his opponent and his team, including Khabib, who serves as Usman’s head coach. Hughes was meticulous in ensuring they understood that he did not represent the vicious rhetoric often directed towards them, particularly by Conor McGregor. This thinly veiled reference to McGregor highlights the fact that the Irish fighter has not let go of his grudge against Khabib and his family.
The Unhinged Obsession
USman Nurmagomedov believes that McGregor’s ongoing obsession with Khabib stems from the crushing defeat he endured in 2018. "Maybe because Khabib kicked his ass," Usman told MMA Fighting. "He wants a rematch but he has to live with this all his life and his kids have to live with this all his life." Usman suggests that McGregor’s children, when they come of age, will be reminded of their father’s loss. "When his kids will grow up, when his kids are 18 [years old], people will say ‘hey your father tried to do some crazy stuff but some guy from Dagestan came to America and kicked your father’s ass.’ That’s it. That’s why he cannot sleep even," he added. This sentiment underlines the profound impact of that fight on McGregor’s psyche and legacy.
A Legacy Tied to One Fight
Since his loss to Khabib, McGregor has only fought three times, with a 1-2 record, and his last bout was in 2021 when he suffered a gruesome broken leg in a fight against Dustin Poirier. Usman maintains that McGregor has largely tied his entire legacy to that single fight against Khabib, which ended in defeat. "He has to live with this and pass with this. All his family, all his legacy, all this, is around this. He lost to Khabib when he had to win. But it [did not] happen. Khabib smashed his face, his team, and all for what he was working [for]," Nurmagomedov said. The impact of that loss has been so significant that McGregor has not returned to the octagon, leading some to speculate about his future in the sport.
Khabib’s Legacy Continues
In contrast, Khabib continued to defend his UFC lightweight title twice more after defeating McGregor and then retired from the sport in 2020. His decision to retire was influenced by a promise he made to his mother following the tragic death of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite his retirement, Khabib’s legacy is far from over. He has transitioned into coaching and is now one of the top trainers in the sport. "Khabib’s legacy continues," Usman said. "We’re not calling this Khabib’s legacy. We’re calling this Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s legacy because of him, he began this. This is our uncle’s legacy." Khabib’s contributions to the sport are seen as part of a broader legacy that includes his father’s pioneering work and the continued success of his cousins, Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov.
Moving Forward
While McGregor may remain fixated on his past feud with Khabib, Usman and his family are focused on the future. Usman, the current Bellator lightweight champion, sees Khabib’s transition to coaching as a natural progression and a way to honor his father’s legacy. "Of course, Khabib did a lot. Khabib [did] almost more than half. After Islam [Makhachev], now it’s me [and] Umar [Nurmagomedov], we’re trying to continue on this. Alhamdulillah, we have a big legacy and I think we’re going to be on the top for many years more." This optimism and forward-looking attitude are evident in how the Nurmagomedovs approach their careers and the sport.
Promoting the Fight
When it comes to his personal feelings towards Paul Hughes after their bout, Usman Nurmagomedov does not harbor any resentment. He recognizes that part of drumming up interest in a fight involves creating a narrative that resonates with audiences. "Before the fight, I said Paul Hughes is not a bad guy," Nurmagomedov said. "I met with him in Dubai, and he’s not a bad guy. He’s not some shit guy. He’s a good guy. But we have to promote this fight. That’s why it was calling Ireland versus Dagestan. Because of this our arena was full. Coca-Cola Arena was full. The whole world was watching this fight. It’s amazing." This pragmatic approach to promotion highlights the balance between personal respect and the business of fighting.
