When Paul Hughes beat A.J. McKee and called for a showdown against Usman Nurmagomedov, he dropped one more name during his post-fight interview that got a whole bunch of attention.
Damon Martin is a veteran journalist and insider covering combat sports since 2003.
With hopes that he could capture a title in just his third bout since signing with PFL, the Irish lightweight floated an idea about inviting Conor McGregor to corner him for the fight as he prepared to take on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s cousin. Of course, McGregor’s rivalry with Khabib was among the nastiest in UFC history so even hinting at that possibility was a great way for Hughes to promote a future fight.
But now that he’s officially getting a shot at Nurmagomedov in January, Hughes admits he was just having some fun with the idea but he’s not actually planning to invite McGregor to his corner for the title fight.
“Look, I mean the whole corner thing, that was the post-fight interview where things were just being thrown there,” Hughes told MMA Fighting. “Other than, that just blew up and did the rounds on social media a couple of times. Other than that, I haven’t mentioned it or looked about anything to do that.
“Obviously with things going down now, it’s not something I’m going to continue to pursue.”
Lately, McGregor has been caught up in a storm of controversy after an Irish court found him liable for sexual assault involving a case that dated back to 2018. McGregor faced no criminal charges but the fallout from the civil case has resulted in him losing numerous endorsements and even the whiskey brand he launched and eventually sold cut ties with him in the wake of that trial.
Even if Hughes wasn’t seriously going to seek out McGregor to join him for the fight, the suggestion got plenty of attention. In fact, UFC welterweight Ian Machado Garry was asked about potentially stepping in to help out Hughes after he famously stood by Garry on short notice when he needed a corner for his title fight in Cage Warriors in 2021.
Ahead of his fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310, Garry said he would gladly help out Hughes if he was asked and the 27-year-old lightweight really appreciated that gesture.
“Hearing Ian say that was cool,” Hughes said. “It was kind of funny because it’s kind of this full circle moment where we’re all at. Ian was fighting Shavkat [Rakhmonov], who’s been on the same mats as me the last couple of weeks and him fighting for the No. 1 contender spot for a UFC belt.
“Just a number of years ago we were both in Cage Warriors, I was jumping in doing his corner for his world title fight and then coincidentally, we were both fighting guys who were 18-0. It’s funny how it’s all playing out. But it certainly seems like Irish MMA is back.”
After Hughes mentioned McGregor and the fight with Nurmagomedov was actually booked, the PFL played into the rivalry and touted the matchup as “Dagestan vs. Ireland 2.”
While all the talk about Ireland, Dagestan, McGregor and Khabib is a fun distraction, Hughes promises that he’s not letting any of that distract him.
Instead, he’s only focused on going out there in January and beating Nurmagomedov to win the lightweight title.
It’s been a lifelong dream to win a major championship like that but Hughes says he’s not going to think too much about that until all the work is done in his training camp and then he’ll allow himself a moment or two to think about having that belt wrapped around his waist after hearing “and new.”
“I’ve just been focused on my day to day grind,” Hughes said. “I have thought about the whole thing being in Dubai, making history there. Being the first MMA show to do Dubai. The arena is incredible when I was just in Dubai a couple of weeks ago. The arena is f*cking amazing. I thought about that. I thought about the walkouts. I haven’t thought too much the belt and what’s next and what I’m going to say. I’m focused on skills right now.
“But as I get closer to the fight, especially fight week, then all I’m thinking about is I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that. I’m visualizing the belt with my team and visualizing seeing my friends and family after. But that’s something I do more towards the fight. Right now, it’s the dirty part. The dirty part of just the grind of everyday.”
