Earlier this year, fight fans thought they’d seen the end of it. Umar Nurmagomedov—Khabib’s cousin, undefeated, laser-sharp—went toe-to-toe with Paul Hughes and barely squeaked by. The scorecards read his name, but the conversation afterward? “Did he really do enough?” That question has hung over Dagestan and Ireland for months.

“Brother, Ireland don’t have fighters, brother,” Khabib Nurmagomedov said in an interview with the PFL’s social channel. “Let’s be honest. How many fighters do you know from Ireland?” And then, of course, Khabib did what Khabib does. He grabbed a mic and dropped a grenade. “Brother, Ireland don’t have fighters, brother,” Khabib Nurmagomedov said in an interview with the PFL’s social channel. One sentence, and suddenly you’ve got McGregor firing off on social, Tony Ferguson jumping in, and the whole MMA world debating whether the Irish stand a chance against Dagestani dominance.

Khabib Stirs the Pot Ahead of Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes Rematch

October 3 is shaping up to be a must-watch night for MMA fans as PFL Champions Series 3 lands at the Coca-Cola Arena in the United Arab Emirates. With the countdown ticking, Khabib Nurmagomedov is already turning up the heat. He shared a training clip of Usman on Instagram with the caption: “10 days before the fight ..Usman is ready to go war.” The warning is clear—while Usman previously bested Paul Hughes, their first encounter was far from easy, a grueling battle that pushed both fighters to the limit.

This marks the promotion’s second visit to Dubai and its first since PFL Champions Series, when Hughes tried—and fell short—against Usman. This time, all eyes are on Nurmagomedov as he aims to defend the lightweight title and assert his dominance under the shadow of his cousin, UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. Rewinding to January, Usman delivered a thrilling performance at PFL Champions Series 1, retaining his lightweight title in a hard-fought contest. The undefeated protégé of Khabib went toe-to-toe with Ireland’s Paul Hughes, securing a majority decision in a bout that kept fans glued to their seats.

As a result, the narrow victory sparked debate over who truly deserved the win, with many calling for an immediate rematch between Nurmagomedov (19-0) and Hughes (13-2). Now, with the rematch looming, the stage is set, the tension is palpable, and the story of Dagestan versus Ireland continues to unfold.

When will Khabib’s cousin make his UFC debut?

Team Khabib thrives on the father’s “pass the torch” mentality, a philosophy Khabib Nurmagomedov built his legacy on. With Islam Makhachev dominating the UFC lightweight division, the spotlight has shifted—and Khabib’s protégés, including Usman Nurmagomedov, are stepping forward as the next big stars.

The undefeated Bellator 155-pound champion has already proven himself in high-stakes fights. As the younger brother of UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov and cousin to lightweight legend Khabib, Usman defended his title against Alexander Shabliy in September, delivering a masterclass that cemented his reputation as one of the sport’s elite lightweights. However, Bellator serves only as a stepping stone for him.

Speaking last year about his future, Usman revealed his plan to follow in his cousin’s footsteps by eventually moving to the UFC. “I’m waiting for Islam to finish his career and then I will [go after the UFC title],” he told Gorilla Fighting’s YouTube. “I think if we get it right, we’ll be fighting in the UFC at 28. I’m 26 years old right now. Two years, I’ll get stronger and that’s it. Go into the UFC at 28 and compete until I’m 32.”

But combat sports don’t care about destiny, do they? Ask Umar. Ask any undefeated fighter who thought the path was clear. You stumble once, and suddenly the UFC call gets delayed, the hype fades, and the chatter shifts from “the next Khabib” to “just another prospect.”

So here’s the real question heading into Dubai: Does Usman Nurmagomedov keep the Dagestani train rolling, setting up his UFC debut right on schedule? Or does Paul Hughes shock the world, derail the plan, and finally give Ireland the bragging rights Khabib swore they’d never have?

October 3rd—we’re going to find out.