Midnight Mania: ‘Ireland Don’t Have Fighters Brother’

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Professional Fighter’s League (PFL) is trying to rebuild a historic rivalry in 2025.

The Bellator Lightweight kingpin remains Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) heading into the New Year. Nurmagomedov very much appears to be one of the best fighters in the world and is certainly one of the premier names who joined the PFL umbrella after their Bellator buyout. His next title defense is scheduled opposite Ireland’s Paul Hughes on January 25 in Dubai. Hughes picked up a major upset win over AJ McKee back in October, surprising many and establishing himself as the clear top Lightweight contender.

It didn’t take long for comparisons to arise between Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes and Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor. The latter rivalry climaxed in 2018 with Nurmagomedov strangling McGregor in a clear-cut win, but the build up was intensely personal and downright ugly. Even the aftermath was vicious and expensive, and all told, it added up to one of the most high-profile fights and events in the history of MMA.

PFL would like a taste of that pie, but unfortunately, Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t believe there’s going to be any continuation of the Dagestan vs. Ireland beef.

“Ireland don’t have fighters, brother,” Nurmagomedov explained in a PFL interview. “Let’s be honest. How many fighters from Ireland? Paul Hughes and Conor. and who else?”

He continued, “There is no fighters, brother. You come Dagestan, you can understand. You know so many organizations, they don’t even sign Dagestan fighters because they worry about like, everybody can become champion … Dagestan level of MMA here [raises hand] but Ireland level not even half of Dagestan level.”

Currently, Khabib’s assessment is on the money. In January alone, Usman Nurmagomedov, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Islam Makhachev will all be competing for world titles. Paul Hughes has a chance to even up the scores a bit, however, and an upset from the Irish striker could produce exactly the rivalry PFL needs to thrive.

Insomnia

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Young Khabib was ripped! Before the steroid accusations, there’s plenty of skinny US high school wrestlers who look the same.

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Incredible things are happening on the internet at all times.

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Slips, rips, and KO clips

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An awesome sequence of elbows and knees:

Random Land

I wouldn’t pick it for myself, but I’m wildly impressed by the artist here. And slightly dizzy?

Midnight Music: Alternative, 2004

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.