Paul Hughes is expressing growing frustration with Usman Nurmagomedov`s changing conditions regarding a potential rematch between the two lightweights.
Their initial encounter in January was highly acclaimed, with Nurmagomedov securing a narrow majority decision victory after Hughes pushed him to his limits, nearly handing him his first career loss. Immediate calls for a rematch followed, but Nurmagomedov insisted that Hughes first needed to secure another win. Hughes subsequently did just that.
In May, Hughes delivered a decisive knockout victory over veteran Bruno Miranda in just 42 seconds during a homecoming event in Belfast. This win seemingly solidified his position as the number one contender. Instead of waiting for the PFL, Hughes took matters into his own hands and contacted Nurmagomedov directly to discuss the rematch. He was not pleased with the response.
“I know for a fact now that this guy is trying to delay this rematch,” Hughes stated. “Because I went straight to the source. I texted him myself last week asking what was going on and demanding a rematch.”
“He reiterated, `you have to win one more fight, brother.` So look, straight from him, he`s trying to delay this,” Hughes recounted.
Following their first fight, Hughes displayed respect towards Nurmagomedov and his team, including UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, who spoke highly of the Irish fighter`s effort against his cousin.
While Hughes doesn`t regret his post-fight conduct, he admits that the aftermath, coupled with Nurmagomedov`s persistent demand for another win, has ignited his frustration regarding the situation.
“I was fed up. I`m fed up with all his nonsense,” Hughes declared. “I decided to go directly to him. He told me last week, `you`ve got to win one more fight, brother,` but ultimately, he`s not the boss. This fight will happen.”
Regardless of Nurmagomedov`s preference for another Hughes win, Hughes believes his swift victory over Miranda (in under a minute) was more than sufficient. Although he initially desired an immediate rematch, the 28-year-old lightweight readily accepted the PFL`s decision to book him in a different fight, especially headlining a card in Ireland.
Hughes is confident that his recent performance is ample justification for arguably the most anticipated rematch in PFL history, irrespective of Nurmagomedov`s stance.
“This fight clearly needs to happen,” said Hughes. “Everybody wants it – the PFL wants it, Dubai wants it. The only person who obviously doesn`t want it right now is Usman Nurmagomedov.”
“If the fight doesn`t take place, you know the reason why. But I don`t think that will be the case. I believe it will happen. The PFL and the Dubai government hold more influence than a single individual. Therefore, the fight must occur and is expected in September or October,” he added.
Shortly after revealing his text exchange with Nurmagomedov, Hughes saw the PFL announce a Mansour Barnaoui vs. Archie Colgan fight for June 20, explicitly stating that “the winner of this fight becomes the No. 1 contender for the PFL lightweight world title and will be next in line to face current champion Usman Nurmagomedov.”
This announcement, predictably, did not sit well with Hughes.
“Hey, quit with the rage bait,” Hughes posted on Twitter in response.
Despite the PFL`s current focus, Hughes remains certain that the promotion will arrange the rematch, and he believes Nurmagomedov is powerless to prevent it.
“He`s clearly trying to delay this fight,” Hughes stated. “Honestly, he probably shouldn`t have replied to me. He wants to postpone it for a very simple reason: he knows I will beat him in the rematch. He felt my presence in the cage. He knows I`m coming for him. He knows how much this means to me. I`m not entirely sure if it means as much to him, to be honest, but his time is coming. Like I said after the last fight, he can delay it all he wants, but his day is coming.”
Hughes has consistently felt he should have won their first encounter. Accepting the judges` decision, he didn`t complain when the PFL offered him another fight instead of the immediate rematch.
Now, Hughes can`t help but wonder if Nurmagomedov is simply creating obstacles to postpone the inevitable rematch.
“Frankly, the guy is in trouble,” Hughes asserted. “Let`s just say, he`s in trouble when I finally get my hands on him again. I am training relentlessly every single day for this. He has absolutely no concept of what awaits him.”
