Paul Hughes doesn't recognize the Conor McGregor who lashed out, doubts they mend fences
Like many Irish fighters, Hughes looked up to the former UFC two-division champion. Up until his title fight against Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov at PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai last month, Hughes had McGregor's support.
Hughes lost a close decision to Nurmagomedov, which McGregor called a robbery. But after Hughes paid his respects to the Nurmagomedov team by saying, 'I'm not like that other guy,' in reference to McGregor's hatred towards Khabib Nurmagomedov, 'The Notorious' went off on him.
'Everyone's seen my response to it; it wasn't a very militant response,' Hughes told MMA Junkie Radio. 'It was what it was. It ended up a lot of people done the fighting for me in terms of the comments and the pushback. So yeah, it was what it was.'
Seeing your idol insult you is never a good feeling, but Hughes insists McGregor is a changed man – for the worse.
'Even at the time, I did not take it personal,' Hughes added. 'I think unfortunately it's not the Conor we once knew in, say, 2016. People were saying, 'Is it sad to hear that from you idol or someone you looked up to?' Unfortunately, that's not the person that tweeted that message. It's of course not something I wish on anybody. I kind of think it's a sad thing, but that's just what it is.'
With McGregor claiming that Northern Ireland is not a part of Ireland, Hughes can't take a personal attack on his background lightly.
'Right now, I would say no,' Hughes said. 'Because of not me personally – I can make up with anybody – but more so because of where I come from and how deeply insulting it was, the thing that he said to the people. Where I come from, it's probably the worst and most disrespectful thing you could say to someone is that they are not Irish, being from the north of Ireland that I am. On that behalf, it wouldn't be mendable right now.'
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