Paul Hughes has little doubt that he’s going to cross paths with Bellator light-weight champion Usman Nurmagomedov once more however he’s not in the slightest degree stunned he didn’t get a right away rematch.
Again in January, Hughes battled Nurmagomedov to a razor-close majority choice however got here away on the shedding finish of the scorecards. It didn’t take lengthy for Hughes to ask about working it again earlier than later however Nurmagomedov shot that down whereas saying the Belfast, Eire native wanted to win no less than another struggle earlier than getting one other shot at his title.
Whereas he’s anxiously awaiting the prospect to get a second crack at Nurmagomedov sooner or later, Hughes wasn’t shocked at the way it all performed out and now he’ll hopefully earn that rematch together with his struggle booked in opposition to Bruno Miranda on Saturday.
“Look, he’s all the time going to attempt to prolong that so long as he can as a result of he obtained very, very near shedding his belt,” Hughes instructed MMA Preventing. “It didn’t shock me that a lot contemplating I imagine I received the struggle, as everybody is aware of. I do imagine that he was nearly damaged in there. Had the pinnacle conflict not occurred on the finish of the fourth [round]. After all, he’s going to attempt to delay it.
“Honest sufficient. He nonetheless has the belt. He’s the champ. He can say this stuff. However on the finish of the day, my day will come once more and it’s coming quickly. One other win over Bruno Miranda right here, there’s completely no query that Usman is subsequent. Every time that’s, I’m undecided, but it surely’s coming.”
In principle, Hughes may have doubtlessly refused to struggle once more and simply waited for the PFL to guide him in opposition to Nurmagomedov however that thought by no means truly crossed his thoughts.
Hughes has all the time needed to remain as lively as doable however there was an added bonus with the Miranda struggle as a result of now he will get the prospect to headline a card at dwelling in Belfast.
“There was by no means a considered sitting out that lengthy,” Hughes stated. “On the finish of the day as fighters, we don’t receives a commission until we struggle and on the finish of the day, I’m younger, I’m wholesome, I’m able to go. I’ve been very lively. I need to proceed to be lively. Why not? I’ll proceed to get higher and combating and struggle camps are the place you get higher.
“That struggle [against Usman Nurmagomedov is] going to occur. Everyone knows it’s going to occur. When that it’s, I’m undecided, in all probability finish of the 12 months so in fact, I’m going to take the chance to struggle at dwelling within the meantime. After all, I’m. It means actually I’m taking off No. 1 on my MMA bucket checklist and in addition bettering. One other struggle camp and in addition in fact you earn money if you struggle so all the pieces’s constructive.”
As a lot because the dialog continues in regards to the Nurmagomedov rematch, Hughes refuses to get caught in a lure by wanting previous his subsequent opponent.
Regardless of the chances saying he ought to basically stroll by Miranda of their upcoming struggle, Hughes is aware of wanting previous anyone is a really harmful recreation to play in fight sports activities.
Boxer Ryan Garcia discovered that out the onerous means this previous weekend when he was gunning for a rematch in opposition to Devin Haney and ended up shedding a surprising choice to Rolly Romero as an alternative.
Hughes has seen these sorts of conditions occur to different fighters previously and he received’t enable himself to fall prey to wanting forward with out realizing the danger standing instantly in entrance of him.
“Look, Bruno is a really harmful man,” Hughes stated. “I knew that earlier than we signed the struggle. Clearly, I examine everyone that’s in my form of bracket. Very harmful man. Massive puncher. Has been in there with a whole lot of world champions. Somebody that isn’t being taken calmly in any regard. I’ve needed to deal with this as one other world title struggle, basically. With this added strain of being at dwelling and delivering there, there’s loads on the road right here and Bruno is the kind of man in case you slip up, he can knock you clear out. He has the capabilities to try this.
“So I’ve to take the struggle unbelievably severe. Any struggle in combined martial arts there’s threat however with out threat there isn’t a reward. On the finish of the day, I get to reside my dream and struggle on the SSE Area in Belfast and produce the corporate, carry the PFL right here and present them what we will do. So unbelievable alternative.”
Preventing at dwelling additionally presents distinctive points as a result of Hughes goes to get pleasure from being the largest star on all the card however the expectations for him to carry out are additionally greater than ever earlier than.
Hughes embraces that strain, particularly understanding that headlining a card in Belfast is a dream come true and there’s all the time the prospect that is the one time he’ll get the chance.
“There’s strain each time I struggle now,” Hughes stated. “I’m f*cking used to it. I’m the f*cking finest. So I all the time cope with it properly. Stress creates diamonds.
“I’m a competitor that all the time exhibits up. You’ve by no means seen me by any night time of my profession not present up on struggle night time and that won’t change.”
