Conor McGregor provoked strong reaction from a number of Irish sporting figures as he took to social media to blast Derry MMA star Paul Hughes.
The former UFC champion took to X to take on Derryman Hughes in a spat that brought on discussions around Northern Ireland, with former Ireland international James McClean and ex-Dublin GAA star Philly McMahon among those to clap back, as well as Joe Brolly.
Here is everything to know on why McGregor hit out at Hughes.
Who is Paul Hughes?
Training out of Belfast but originally from Lavey in Derry, Hughes has made a name for himself in MMA circles and has enjoyed a sharp rise up through the Bellator ranks, making his debut in the promotion in 2024 before earning a world title shot heading into the new year.
He suffered defeat in his bid for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship against Usman Nurmagomedov just last weekend, with his opponent a younger cousin of ex-UFC star Khabib.
The Khabib connection
Khabib was a household name in the UFC while McGregor was still battling it out at the top end of the sport, and the pair fought memorably back in 2018.
Having been embroiled in a war of words with the Russian pre-fight, McGregor lost out to his rival by submission in the fourth round at UFC 229 – but the rage left the cage and continued on elsewhere as Khabib rubbed salt in the wound after his win.
After winning, Khabib vaulted the cage and went directly towards McGregor’s team in a move that sparked a melee, with the Dubliner involved in a bust-up in the octagon with members of his opponent’s team. Three of those were later arrested, but McGregor stopped short of pressing charges.
Why did McGregor get involved?
McGregor appeared to take exception to Hughes’ long-held respect for the Nurmagomedov team, which he expressed after his loss.
After his own fight, Hughes told the Nurmagomedov team he has always respected them, distancing himself from McGregor by saying: "I’m not like this other guy, I’m my own man," seemingly in reference to McGregor.
Since everything seems to be taken out of context. Can anyone tell me is there anything wrong with this beautiful clip of solidarity in MMA? #PFLDubai pic.twitter.com/kNtbd03ArN
— Anatomy of a Fighter (@WillHarrisAOAF) January 29, 2025
That then prompted McGregor into an online attack on Hughes, with a now-deleted post on X reading: ”Get that flag off you you little know what you are **** form [sic] up there," before the message was deleted.
Conor McGregor posts and then deletes tweet insulting Paul Hughes for having an Irish flag and being from Northern Ireland pic.twitter.com/AY3hSQKBp1
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) January 29, 2025
The reaction
Hughes himself dismissed his former "GOAT" in his response, posting: "Always said u [sic] were the goat, paid homage at every opportunity. But coming for my Irish identity just shows where your head is at."
@TheNotoriousMMA always said u were the goat, payed homage at every opportunity.
But coming at my Irish identity just shows where your head is at.
— Paul Hughes MMA (@paulhughesmma) January 29, 2025
Elsewhere, James McClean stood up for his fellow Derryman, posting on Instagram: "@PaulHughesMMA proper Irishman, keep flying that flag high, class act that fellow Northerners and fellow IRISH are PROUD of."
While ex-Dubs defender Philly McMahon wrote: "Fair enough, you’re p*ssed he doesn’t have [hate] 'The Enemy,' but disrespecting Paul Hughes just because he’s from Derry? That city has been through hell, stood tall for Ireland, and produced some of the most patriotic people we’ve ever seen. Show some respect."
"Fair enough, you're pissed he doesn’t have ‘The Enemy,’ but disrespecting Paul Hughes just because he’s from Derry? That city has been through hell, stood tall for Ireland, and produced some of the most patriotic people we’ve ever seen. Show some respect. #Derry @paulhughesmma
— Philly Mc Mahon (@PhillyMcMahon) January 29, 2025
Ex-Derry GAA star Joe Brolly also chimed in with a sarcastic reply: "Nice lad that Conor McGregor. He should run for president."
Nice lad that Conor McGregor. He should run for president. pic.twitter.com/3Ser0FKqRK
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) January 29, 2025
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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