Undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov hopes that the Dagestan vs. Ireland clash remains purely about MMA. To that end, the Dagestani fighter recently weighed in on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s viral take on the same. The undefeated lightweight champion defends his blimps at the Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai.
Usman’s cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov, has had an avenue to take the war to Irish MMA. His rivalry with one Conor McGregor has soured what the skill test could have been. In the past few weeks, “The Eagle” riled up Irish and some MMA fans when he took aim at Irish talent pool during PFL MMA media sit-down for #RoadtoDubai. Now, Usman Nurmagomedov reels in the sentiment.
If we’re talking about levels, of course we can talk a lot, but we have facts, …Bellator champion: Some Irish have Bellator champions? No. PFL, no. UFC, no… in Bellator we have champions – and not only one. UFC soon Umar will be – But other things, I don’t want to talk or touch about people or nation. This is not good. We’re not talking about a nation or something… And we stay within this border now. We don’t go outside the border and talk sh*t about people, no.
Usman Nurmagomedov to MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn
Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) defends his gold against Irishman Paul Hughes at Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai. Khabib understands the ‘McGregor effect’ or that of Hughes, but said Dagestan has more to offer. He even doubled down on it, thus incurring the wrath of old rivals. Usman said factually he is right, but this wasn’t a diss towards the nation.
The national rationale is something that almost went off the rails recently. Umar Nurmagomedov dissed Georgian champ Merab Dvalishvili with a Georgian proverb after he angled for a Ramadan phase return. But the champ made it out to be an attack on his home. Such is the fickle nature of MMA where national representation gets in the way. But his cousin said Khabib didn’t mean it that way.
Usman Nurmagomedov ‘more stressed’ for brother Umar, Islam Makhachev than own Bellator title match
Dagestani dominance and a dynasty of MMA talents are what sets them apart as a brotherhood. In the retraction of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s MMA commentary, Michael Bisping reiterated how USA [72] and Brazilian [22] fighters far outweigh the number of champs. However, the bond between Dagestan fighters is just something else.
Usman Nurmagomedov stressing on family, not Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai (Source: X)In that stem of thought, Usman Nurmagomedov has a lot on his plate this 2025. It would be hard to imagine a more significant start to the MMA year than what Usman and his teammates have lined up. The Dagestan takeover has the Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai (Series 6 main card 10:30 a.m. ET). Before that, Umar and UFC 155-pound champ Islam Makhachev fight at UFC 311.
Honestly, yes, for me it’s a little hard. I want to be there with Umar for his fight, first time for him fighting for a title. But any time it doesn’t matter. For me, it’s the most important that these guys will win. That’s what’s most important…Honestly, I’m more nervous about these guys fighting than my own…I am more stressed and more nervous about Umar, about Islam, about Tagir and these guys.
Usman Nurmagomedov further said
Scheduling has splintered fight camps. Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov helmed the ship for Umar and Makhachev stateside (Las Vegas PI). However, Usman stayed in Dagestan to avoid stiff logistics and a harder camp. After UFC 311, he hopes to have his team in his corner against Hughes in Dubai. It’s quite a family matter after all these upcoming weeks.
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