Paul Hughes says the support behind him has hit a "completely different level" following his fight with Usman Nurmagomedov - and the outrage sparked by Conor McGregor's X-rated rant at the Derry MMA star.

Hughes suffered a majority decision defeat to Nurmagomedov in Dubai last month in a World title showdown many fans labelled an early 'Fight of the Year' contender.

The performance earned the 27-year-old Lavey native plenty of praise, and new fans throughout the world.

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READ NEXT: Derry MMA star fires back at Conor McGregor after outburst over Irish identity

But he also found himself on the receiving end of an online verbal assault from Irish UFC star McGregor who took umbrage at Hughes appearing to distance himself from 'The Notorious' by telling Khabib Nurmagomedov that he's “not like this other guy.”

McGregor questioned Hughes' Irish identity and hit out at the Belfast-based lightweight's use of the Irish flag during fight entrances.

The Dubliner took to social media with a barrage of insults, saying, "Get that flag off you you little know what you are c--- from up there," which was soon followed by "Up the real Irish f--- these vermin f----."

Both derogatory posts were later removed.

Hughes said he became aware of McGregor's outburst when a friend sent him screenshots of the social media posts.

He told Belfast Live:"Someone sent it to me on WhatsApp. I think it got deleted pretty quickly.

"Someone sent me the screenshots and I just remember thinking, 'That is f***ing mental'. I laughed at it but I didn't think too much about it.

"It didn't play on my mind. It only struck me afterwards the magnitude of how deeply disrespectful it is. But as I said to Ariel (Helwani) when I first addressed this, I didn't take it very personally.

"There was a lot of comment online from other people, but I try to rise above it. At the end of the day I am in charge of what's going on in my head, and nobody else can take that away from me.

"I don't let them take up my head space. I won't let them."

If anything, McGregor's verbal attack has lifted Hughes' stock to a new level, and earned him the support of fight fans across the whole island of Ireland.

He is already being billed as the next big MMA star from these shores, and it's a reputation he's more than willing to wear with pride.

"I think I am that guy, especially after that last fight. I definitely broke new heights and I proved myself as the fighter and man I am," he added.

"It is certainly a very special thing that I don't take for granted. If you actually go onto my Instagram, one of my pinned posts is a post I put up a couple of years ago after I fought (Jordan) Vucenic. I said I hope I one day follow in the footsteps of Irish sporting heroes like Katie Taylor, Carl Frampton, Mick Conlan, Conor McGregor.

"My dream was to have a nation behind me. I think I am on that path now to achieve that dream and have the nation behind me. It is something I certainly don't take for granted."

At the time of McGregor's social media posts, Hughes replied: "@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."

He received the support of several high-profile names including footballer James McClean who described Hughes as a "proper Irishman".

He added: "Keep flying that flag high, class act that fellow Northerners and fellow IRISH are PROUD of."

Hughes says the level of support he now receives is on a "completely different level to before."

He said: "I feel serious support on the island. Completely different level to before.

"Things have just ramped up since the fight, and everything that unfolded after the fight. It is on a different level and it has turned out to be one of the best things in my career."

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