Upcoming Rematch: Paul Hughes vs. Usman Nurmagomedov
In a highly anticipated rematch scheduled for October 3rd, Paul Hughes is looking to secure victory over PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. A win could potentially lead to large-scale fight events in his hometown of Belfast. In January, Hughes faced Nurmagomedov in a closely contested battle, which ended in a majority decision in favor of Nurmagomedov, who retained his Bellator title and maintained his undefeated record.
Inspiration from Recent Events
Recently, boxing shone brightly in Belfast with Lewis Crocker‘s triumphant rematch over Paddy Donovan, drawing an impressive crowd of 20,000 at Windsor Park. Inspired by this successful event, Hughes expressed his desire to bring significant mixed martial arts nights to Belfast, envisioning a future where 23,000 people can gather for an MMA event.
“It’s incredibly meaningful to carry forward the legacy of Irish MMA, something I hold in high esteem,”
the 28-year-old fighter from Lavey remarked.
He emphasized his ambition to create memorable events not only for himself but also for his teammates and compatriots. Hughes looks up to Carl Frampton, a celebrated former boxer and two-weight champion, mentioning the impact of Frampton’s big fight nights on the city.
Nurmagomedov’s Preparation
As for the upcoming match, Nurmagomedov, 27, has acknowledged that he underestimated Hughes in their first encounter. He has vowed not to repeat that mistake, stating:
“Everything is different this time. I can’t imagine how I can lose this fight. This version of Usman is not the same as in January.”
He admitted to having had a poor training camp prior to their first fight and reflected on his mistakes, having studied the match multiple times in preparation.
“I know he will be different too. I see areas where I must improve, and we have worked on those. This fight will showcase a better version of me,”
he asserted.
Hughes’ Confidence and Strategy
Hughes, in turn, is also prepared for an enhanced performance from Nurmagomedov. He draws confidence from their previous fight, considering the five rounds of experience he gained. Having a history of bouncing back from defeat—he previously reclaimed a championship title after a rematch in the Cage Warriors—Hughes believes that this experience will aid him in the upcoming bout.
“I learned a lot in our first encounter and plan to implement that knowledge into my strategy. I don’t underestimate the fact that Usman will also have a new plan and be looking to improve, just as I will be,”
Hughes explained. The clash of their strategies is something he is particularly eager to witness come fight night.
