PFL Champion Honors Ireland’s ‘Only 2-Division Champ’ In Conor McGregor Snub

Did PFL Title Challenger Paul Hughes take a shot at Conor McGregor by not mentioning him at the presser?

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Paul Hughes didn’t call Conor McGregor out by name, but he didn’t have to. I’m also not entirely sure he meant his comments as a snub to the former two-division UFC champion and combat sports icon, but it sure came off that way.

At the press conference for PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai – The Rematch, the Irish star gave credit to Carl Frampton, Belfast’s boxing hero, in a way that felt as much like a tribute as it did a pointed omission.

“Carl Frampton… he’s the only two-weight world champion to come out of the island of Ireland. Someone that I really respect,” Hughes said.

At face value, it was straightforward praise. Frampton is adored in Irish boxing circles as a gritty fighter who claimed belts in two divisions without ever straying far from his working-class roots.

But Hughes’ wording immediately raised my eyebrows, because McGregor has long styled himself as Ireland’s “double champ” after winning UFC titles at featherweight and lightweight.

I had to wonder aloud if that was a purposeful omission. After all, it’s not like Hughes is a boxer. Hughes is one of the world’s top lightweights in MMA, the sport where McGregor built his following and name.

Add in the fact that Hughes and McGregor have a history and it seemingly raises the probability that there was some intended sting on the Belfast native’s words.

What wasn’t said is hard to ignore. Frampton remains one of Ireland’s most beloved athletes, celebrated for his humility and heart. McGregor, meanwhile, is as polarizing as he is famous, his accomplishments often debated in the shadow of his controversies.

By putting Frampton alone on the pedestal, Hughes not only honored a fellow fighter but also signaled the kind of reputation he wants to build — one tied to accolades and respect rather than spectacle and controversy.

It’s also significant to point out that McGregor only recently dropped his plans to pursue becoming the President of Ireland.

There’s a lot going on there.

Whether calculated or not, Hughes created a headline moment without ever having to name McGregor. In combat sports, those moments matter. We all read between the lines–admittedly sometimes even when nothing is there. For Hughes, stepping into the PFL’s biggest spotlight yet, it’s the kind of statement that resonates far beyond the presser stage.

Hughes also made it clear that when the cage door closes, he’ll rely on his grit as much as his words. He promised to drag Usman Nurmagomedov “to the depths of hell” in their upcoming clash, embracing the kind of language that shows he’s ready for a brutal main event.

Likewise, Nurmagomedov uttered that cringy “I’m ready to die” statement to assure us of his preparedness. The first fight was amazing and the second one will likely be just as good–even without the lines that seem like they came out of the movie 300.

The Road to Dubai is stacked with name talent and dangerous matchups, giving the PFL the kind of lineup that feels like a statement in itself. Here is the complete card.

Completed PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai – The Rematch

Friday, Oct. 3 – Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai

Main Card

• PFL Lightweight World Title Main Event: Usman Nurmagomedov (19-0, 1 NC) vs. Paul Hughes (14-2)
• PFL Light Heavyweight World Title Co-Main Event: Corey Anderson (19-6) vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1)
• Lightweight Main Card Bout: Archie Colgan (12-0) vs. Jay-Jay Wilson (11-1)
• Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Lewis McGrillen (12-1) vs. Caolan Loughran (10-2)
• Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Magomed Magomedov (21-4) vs. Sergio Pettis (24-7)

Early Card

• Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Pouya Rahmani (4-0) vs. Slim Trabelsi (8-0)
• 165-Pound Catchweight Bout: Zubaira Tukhugov (20-6-1) vs. Artem Lobov (14-15-1)
• Welterweight Showcase Bout: Omar El Dafrawy (14-5) vs. Florim Zendeli (10-1-1)
• Lightweight Showcase Bout: Asael Adjoudj (10-1) vs. Mirafzal Akhtamov (8-1-1)
• Lightweight Showcase Bout: Takeshi Izumi (6-4) vs. Vinicius Cenci (9-3)
• Lightweight Showcase Bout: Makkasharip Zaynukov (17-4) vs. John Mitchell (10-2)
• Middleweight Showcase Bout: Jarrah Al-Silawi (20-7) vs. Gregory Babene (23-12)

Be on the lookout for fight week coverage culminating in results following one of the promotion’s biggest events of the year.