Advertisement

Conor McGregor gives Derry MMA star backing for 'helluva fight'

Photo shows Conor McGregor
-Credit: (Image: JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images)


Paul 'Big News' Hughes has certainly been claiming the headlines in recent days. The Derry fighter recorded the biggest win of his career on Saturday night, beating former world champion AJ McKee in Saudi Arabia.

The bout was on the undercard of Francis Ngannou's MMA return, and was shown live across the world on pay-per-view. There was also a certain Cristiano Ronaldo at cageside for Hughes' fight.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid Ronaldo star appears to be a fan of the 27-year-old, who trains out of Fight Academy Ireland in Belfast. And another big fan is Conor McGregor.

READ NEXT: Mark Allen happy with NI Open start despite 'things going on in background'

READ NEXT: Crossmaglen on the hunt for a new manager after Anthony Cunningham steps down

'The Notorious' has often shown his support to Hughes, and he did it again in the aftermath of the McKee win. Hughes is now targeting a fight with Usman Nurmagomedov, the cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov who McGregor once lost to.

There was plenty of bad blood between McGregor and Khabib, and it appears that animosity could spill over to any future fight between Hughes and Usman.

Photo shows Paul Hughes
Paul Hughes -Credit:Jose Peñuela / PFL

And Lavey native Hughes would love to ramp up any potential showdown by having UFC superstar McGregor in his corner.

Hughes said: "In the post-fight media scrum the media were asking me, you're fighting Usman MMM, would you want Conor McGregor in your corner? And I was like 'Damn right, clip this s***'.

"Then McGregor shared a tweet and showed his support."

Replying to a tweet on X, McGregor said: "Paul my man I will go to the arena and support 100 per cent and if it kicks off I'll be there..."

READ MORE: Paul Hughes in 'no doubt' rising Belfast MMA fighter can be world star

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo congratulates Derry MMA fighter after biggest career win

He added: "Your team and corner have done a tremendous job with you! They will take you all the way! You've got this!

"We are with you brother, bring home the gold!"

Hughes added: "Shout out to the GOAT. Khabib has also been sharing it on Usman's behalf. Khabib shared it and said he is ready.

"It looks like the hype is building already. That's a helluva fight. Give it to me in Dubai or Belfast, I do not care. We all know the atmosphere would be a lot better in Belfast.

"Let's go. Let's make this fight happen, 100 per cent."

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox