Paul Hughes is finally getting the rematch he wanted against Usman Nurmagomedov, who he says has been standing in the way of booking a return bout.
Usman Nurmagomedov will face Paul Hughes for the second time when they meet at the PFL's October 3 event in Dubai, but the Irishman is adamant that PFL forced the champion into the rematch. After their close fought ‘Fight of the Year’ contender back in January, which saw Nurmagomedov get the nod from the judges, the MMA world was convinced that the promotion would soon run it back.
However, following his knockout of Bruno Miranda in his Belfast homecoming, Hughes began to have doubts as PFL’s official accounts insisted that the winner of a June 20 meeting between Mansour Barnaoui and Archie Colgan would be next for Nurmagomedov.
“It didn’t make sense to me, from a business standpoint. I thought it was pretty clear that this was the biggest fight they could make,” Hughes told Uncrowned. “Look, I get the argument that having us fight other people could build it more, but can’t take those kinds of risks in MMA — there are too many moving parts.”
While fans and media pointed their fingers at the promotion, Hughes placed the blame solely on his rival.
“When there was no movement after a couple of months I came to the conclusion that it was him not wanting it and that he was the issue,” Hughes said.
The Fight Academy Ireland fighter eventually took matters into his own hands and reached out to Nurmagomedov.
“I texted him and he said, ‘you need to fight one more fight, brother.’ This was after I knocked Bruno [Miranda] out,” Hughes said. “It was clear to me at that point that it was him that was blocking the rematch from happening. It is what it is. He tried to delay it for a long time, and ultimately that’s why it’s taken so long to happen.”
Which begs the question, why is it happening now?
“At the end of the day, you have to do what the bosses say,” Hughes said. “PFL wanted to make this fight. They made it, and fair play to them.”
Hughes believes that the close nature of their first meeting made Nurmagomedov reluctant to sign on the dotted line for their rematch.
“He doesn’t want to let his team down and certainly not against an Irishman. He knows how close it was the last time, so I have no doubt that he’ll be taking this rematch as seriously as possible.”
Some Hughes fans believe that meeting the Dagestani fighter in Dubai is essentially giving up hometown advantage, making it more difficult for the challenger to earn a decision. Yet Hughes is convinced that he can still win the fight even if the judges have a say.
“I genuinely don’t believe I have to finish him to win the fight. My mentality is that I have to beat him over five rounds,” Hughes said. “My preparation has been completely geared to beating him in every aspect of the fight and I feel like I’m ready to do that right now, never mind eight weeks’ time. I really don’t feel like I have to finish him to win at all. But do I think I’ll finish him? Truthfully yes, I do think I’ll catch him because I honestly believe that I have his number.
“He can tell himself whatever he wants, he can lie to himself subconsciously, but he knows what was going down towards the end of that fight and how the tables were turning. If he didn’t have that three-minute recovery with the head clash, he would’ve been broken. I’m sure he’s telling himself all sorts of things as to why the fight went the way it did, but until we’re in there again and I’m putting it on him, then he’ll get that familiar feeling again. I think that’s when I’ll catch him.”
Although Hughes is extremely optimistic, you can’t help but think it could be his last shot at Nurmagomedov if the undefeated Russian triumphs again. However, such is his confidence that the thought of defeat didn’t seem to occur to him until he is asked about it.
“Honestly, I don’t feel pressure at all. I don’t fear the man and I genuinely feel like this will be my best performance to date. Everything I’ve done since that first fight is to give me the best possible chance of winning the rematch and beating him. I don’t think he has a chance this time around.”
Category: General Sports
