Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov’s next title defense against Paul Hughes has nostalgia written all over it. Why? Well, another Irish fighter taking on a Dagestan native has reminded fans of Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s rivalry with Conor McGregor. Riding on this wave of excitement, Hughes asked his countryman, ‘The Notorious’ to be in his corner. And guess what? The Irishman was more than happy to do so.

In a now-deleted tweet, McGregor wrote, “Paul my man I will go to the arena and support 100% for sure and if it kicks off I’ll be in there,” before going off on the Nurmagomedovs. If the Dagestanis and McGregor find themselves face to face, fans know the result will be chaotic. It could be similar to the ugly UFC 229 brawl between both sides.

‘The Eagle’s former coach, Javier Mendez, welcomes the drama, but there is a special condition for it. In a new episode of the Javier Mendez Podcast on YouTube, the coach said:

“I would love for that to happen… because, hey, come on. We’re in the entertainment business… so guess what? You know, bring entertainment, this and that, you know. As long as we keep it legal, you know, we are good.”

“Unfortunately, you know, I don’t know what could happen with guys like that together because there’s still a lot of animosity based on the hatred of what was said that should [have] never been said. And that’s why I’m against speaking about religion, country, wives, father and just religion, you know. Just leave it alone.”

Javier Mendez is right. When McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s entourage are in the same venue, a small confrontation can break down into full-blown mayhem. The duo do not have each other in their good books even six years after their record-breaking encounter.

Speaking on the issue further, Mendez stated, “That’s why I am very proud of someone like Merab [Dvalishvili], is keeping it very clean. EVen if he attacks the coach or the other fighters, that’s okay. Keep it to the fighters, that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with that. Merab is doing a fantastic job of promoting the fight, in my opinion.”

But coming back to ‘The Eagle’, just like he does for Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov, the 29-0 legend will be there to support his cousin Usman for his third official lightweight title defense. “Someone told me Khabib will be in the corner? Of course, he’s going to be in Usman’s corner,” Javier Mendez stated in the same podcast, thus confirming it.

While one member of Team Khabib wants Conor McGregor to show up in Hughes’ corner, another Team Khabib member doesn’t want this to happen. In fact, that team member even warned the Irishman against showing up in Dubai for the event.

Team Khabib’s manager doesn’t want Conor McGregor to corner Paul Hughes!

Conor McGregor is in a world of controversies stemming from his civil lawsuit loss. That itself can be a hurdle in his plans to come and support Paul Hughes in his title fight. Usman Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, claims that it may be best suited for McGregor not to step on Emirati soil.

The former UFC double champion and Team Khabib’s manager have never been on good terms and have taken multiple shots at each other on a very personal level. But the warning may not be connected with Abdelaziz’s negative feelings for McGregor, but with his legal woes and the Egyptian manager was quick to point that out.

“I hope Paul Hughes will not try to bring McGregor with him to Dubai. It will not be a good look for him and probably both him and his whole team will be deported,” Abdelaziz tweeted, taking a jibe at McGregor. The Irishman is already liable to pay over $260,000 in damages to the plaintiff of his lawsuit, Nikita Hand, and has also been ordered to clear her legal costs.

This makes it difficult to predict if we can really witness the ‘Dagestan vs Ireland 2’ showdown with Nurmagomedov and McGregor near the cage.

We are just a month away from Usman Nurmagomedov’s fight against Paul Hughes, and how things shape up will be seen in the days to come. Will Khabib Nurmagomedov find himself in the same building as Conor McGregor? Let us know in the comments down below.