Khabib Nurmagomedov before a bout between Merab Dvalishvili (not pictured) fights Umar Nurmagomedov (not pictured) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov Takes A Jibe At Conor McGregor While Praising Irish People After Bellator Title Fight!

Khabib Nurmagomedov praises the kindness and energy of Ireland and its people after an exciting Bellator title fight!

Khabib Nurmagomedov before a bout between Merab Dvalishvili (not pictured) fights Umar Nurmagomedov (not pictured) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome.

The world of MMA has seen its fair share of rivalries, but sometimes, the most heated feuds can lead to unexpected moments of unity. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s infamous clash with Conor McGregor in 2018 sparked one of the sport’s most intense rivalries between Ireland and Dagestan. That beef brought trash talk, bad blood, and a post-fight brawl that had everyone talking for years.

Insane! Khabib Nurmagomedov attacking Conor McGregor's corner after submitting the Irishman in the fourth round of #UFC229

Crazy scenes in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/L50234YkIQ
— bettingexpert 🔞 (@bettingexpert) October 7, 2018

Fast forward to 2025, and fans are seeing a very different side of this story. After watching his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov successfully defend the Bellator Lightweight Championship against Ireland’s Paul Hughes in Dubai, Khabib surprised everyone with heartfelt words of appreciation for the Irish people. The undefeated legend is known for his no-nonsense approach both in and out of the cage. He showed that respect can bloom in the most unexpected places.

Also Read: Alex Pereira Did Not Enjoy His Bitter Rival’s Misery At UFC 311!

What Did Khabib Nurmagomedov Say In Favor Of Irish People?

Taking the microphone after the event, Khabib Nurmagomedov didn’t waste time dwelling on old rivalries. Instead, he focused on something that clearly meant a lot to him – Ireland’s support for Palestine.

The former lightweight champion, who is considered one of the greatest of all time and retired with a perfect 29-0 record, spoke from the heart about how much this solidarity means to him and his community. It was quite the plot twist, considering how things started with that Conor McGregor fight.

“I just want to say one thing. All this began from my side and the other guy (Conor McGregor) when we were fighting. But 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.“

KHABIB TAKES THE MIC AND SHOWS RESPECT TO IRELAND FOR SUPPORTING PALESTINE 🇷🇺🇮🇪🇵🇸

“Ireland is the biggest supporter in the world for Palestine, we love you guys because you show support to our brothers in Palestine”

🎥 @PFLMMA

pic.twitter.com/nMphWDoPAa
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) January 25, 2025

‘The Eagle’ thanked Paul Hughes for a fantastic fight. Speaking with genuine warmth, Khabib Nurmagomedov reminded everyone that MMA is ultimately about respect. He made it clear that while fighters might throw down in the cage, real connections between people and nations run much deeper. His praise for Ireland’s stance on Palestine wasn’t just political talk. It was a bridge-building moment that showed how sports can help people find common ground.

For those who have followed Khabib Nurmagomedov’s career, this shouldn’t come as a total shock. He has always been vocal about his beliefs and principles, wearing his Muslim faith proudly and speaking up for the causes he believes in. He even talked to Donald Trump at UFC 302 to urge him to cease the war in Palestine.

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Conor McGregor

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Paul Hughes

Usman Nurmagomedov

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!