Derry MMA star responds to Conor McGregor's comments about his Irish identity

County Derry MMA fighter Paul Hughes has taken to social media to call out Conor McGregor after the Dublin fighter made a jibe at the Lavey man’s Irish ‘identity’.

McGregor made the comment following Hughes’ Bellator title loss to Usman Nurmagomedov.

Hughes is an emerging MMA talent, and he currently competes in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), and friction between him and McGregor escalated following the Derry man’s attempt to distance himself from comparisons with the former UFC champion, as in an interview following his loss to Nurmagomedov he said he wants to be considered his own man and not be like the other guy.

McGregor initially retorted on social media with a screenshot of a post celebrating his employment of over 200 people in Ireland through his Forged Irish Stout venture, stating “Too right YOU’RE NOT”.

However, following this statement, the Dubliner took to X, formerly known as Twitter, as he posted a number of messages that have since been deleted that targeted Hughes’ Irish identity.

One of the comments said: “Get that flag off you, you little know what you are c--- from up there."

With another saying: “"Up the real Irish f--- these vermin f----."

Hughes is proud of his Irish identity and has the tricolor draped upon his shoulders in his profile picture on X.

The Lavey man did eventually take to X to respond to the comments made by McGregor, expressing his sadness at these statements by the former UFC champion.

He said: “@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."

These comments came following Hughes’ defeat to the Dagestan fighter, despite the County Derry man believing that he had won the fight with the 27-year-old, hopefully, of a rematch in the near future promising to train with Nurmagomedov in Russia following their invitation, returning the favour inviting their team to Ireland, but only if the rematch is confirmed.