Paul Hughes is growing increasingly frustrated with PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov and what he sees as constant roadblocks preventing a rematch between them.
The two lightweights had a highly competitive bout in January, widely considered one of the year`s best fights, where Nurmagomedov secured a narrow majority decision victory – a fight that pushed him close to his first professional loss. Following the close contest, there were immediate calls for a rematch, but Nurmagomedov insisted Hughes needed to earn another win before a second fight could happen. Hughes promptly did just that.
In May, Hughes impressively knocked out veteran lightweight Bruno Miranda in just 42 seconds during a homecoming event in Belfast. This dominant performance seemingly cemented his position as the number one contender for Nurmagomedov`s title. However, instead of waiting for the PFL to schedule the rematch, Hughes took matters into his own hands and reached out directly to Nurmagomedov – a move he now regrets given the response.
“I know for a fact now that this guy is trying to delay this rematch,” Hughes revealed, explaining his decision to contact the champion directly. “Because I went straight to the f*cking source. I texted him myself last week and I was just like what is going on? Rematch now.”
According to Hughes, Nurmagomedov`s response reiterated his previous stance. “He said once again ‘you have to win one more fight, brother.’ So look, straight from the source right there, he’s trying to delay this.”
After their first fight, Hughes showed respect to Nurmagomedov and his corner, which included UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, who publicly praised Hughes for his performance against his cousin.
While Hughes has no regrets about the sportsmanship displayed that night, the subsequent insistence from Nurmagomedov that he requires *another* win before a rematch is booked has clearly ignited Hughes`s frustration.
“I was fed up. I’m fed up with all his bullshit,” Hughes stated emphatically. “I may as well go straight to the source. From what he said last week, he said ‘you’ve got to win one more fight, brother’ and at the end of the day, he’s not the f*cking boss. This fight’s happening.”
Despite Nurmagomedov`s apparent desire for him to secure yet another victory, Hughes is confident he did his part by quickly finishing Miranda. While he initially preferred an immediate rematch, the 28-year-old lightweight accepted the fight against Miranda without hesitation, particularly as it meant headlining a show in Ireland.
Hughes believes his impressive win over Miranda should be more than sufficient justification for setting up what could be the most anticipated rematch in PFL history, regardless of Nurmagomedov`s personal opinions.
“The fight obviously has to happen,” Hughes insisted. “Everybody wants this fight to happen. PFL wants this fight to happen. Dubai wants this to happen. The only person that does not want this to happen, very, very clearly right now, is Usman Nurmagomedov.”
He added, “If the fight does not happen, you know why. But I don’t believe that is the case. I think it will happen. I think the PFL and the Dubai government have more leverage than one man. So the fight must happen and it will happen in September or October this year.”
Adding fuel to Hughes`s fire, shortly after his text exchange with Nurmagomedov became public, the PFL announced a fight between Mansour Barnaoui and Archie Colgan for June 20, explicitly stating that the winner would become the number one contender for the lightweight title and the next challenger for Nurmagomedov.
This announcement did not sit well with Hughes, who reacted on Twitter.
“Hey, quit with the rage bait,” Hughes posted online.
Despite the PFL`s recent booking, Hughes remains convinced that the promotion will ultimately deliver the rematch he seeks, and he believes Nurmagomedov cannot prevent it.
“He’s trying to delay this fight. It’s that clear,” Hughes asserted. “He probably shouldn’t have texted me back to be honest. He is going to delay this fight for a very clear reason. That is that he knows I’m going get him next time. He’s felt my energy in there. He knows I’m coming for him. He knows this is everything to me. I’m not sure if this is everything to him, to be completely honest with you, and his day is coming. As I said in the post-fight interview, he can try to delay this as long as he wants, but his day is coming.”
Hughes maintains that he deserved the victory in their initial encounter and didn`t protest when the PFL initially booked him against Miranda instead of the immediate rematch, accepting the judges` decision from the first fight.
Now, however, Hughes questions if Nurmagomedov is simply erecting unnecessary barriers to delay the inevitable second meeting.
“Look, the guy’s f*cked,” Hughes declared. “He’s f*cked when I get my hands on him. Let’s put it like that. I am in the gym every single day preparing for this. He has absolutely no idea what is coming for him.”
Oliver Croft