Usman Nurmagomedov encourages humility in response to Conor McGregor’s criticism of Paul Hughes

by February 15, 2025

written by February 15, 2025

Usman Nurmagomedov encourages humility in response to Conor McGregor’s criticism of Paul Hughes

Conor McGregor was upset with his fellow countryman Paul Hughes for being cordial with Usman Nurmagomedov and his camp.

Nurmagomedov (19-0) defeated Hughes (13-2) by majority decision in the main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai, a result that McGregor felt was a robbery. The Irishman took things to another level by going at Hughes after the fight because he said he was “not like this other guy” in reference to McGregor and his history with Khabib Nurmagomedov and the Dagestani camp.

“Honestly, it was crazy,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie. “Paul is good guy. We spoke with him a little bit. He’s a really good guy.”

Hughes’ response to the situation was one of dismissal, as he no longer looks up to the man McGregor is now, as he has found himself in multiple legal issues over the years.

Nurmagomedov believes it’s up to McGregor to hold himself to a higher standard because he still has a very large following.

“This is hard time for people, to be honest, and you have to be a good example,” Nurmagomedov said. “Because everyone right now living on the phone, on the media they’re watching, they’re following. When you show these people some bad examples, this is very bad. You have to understand, brother, a lot of people watching you. You have to be good example.”

Nurmagomedov, 26, will be the first to admit he’s not perfect, but because of his platform, he strives to be a better person for himself and the fans that follow his career.

“I try to follow these rules,” Nurmagomedov said. “I’m not good guy. I’m not so sure. I’m not 100 percent good guy. I’m not so kind, I’m not so humble; I know this. But I have to be. I have to try. I have to learn. I have to change some things, my mistakes.

“I have to be because of the young people who grow, they’re watching me. When I walk outside, it doesn’t matter in Italy, Milan, Paris, in my homeland, they come, they try to take photos. They wish me some good stuff. This is why you have to be good example for the people.”