Usman Nurmagomedov is aware of who Paul Hughes is now.
On Saturday, Nurmagomedov confronted Hughes in the primary occasion of PFL Dubai, eking out a majority determination win after a five-round warfare. This got here after a promotional buildup the place Nurmagomedov repeatedly dismissed Hughes as a challenger, saying he didn’t deserve the combat and that he didn’t actually know a lot about Hughes. Effectively, Nurmagomedov is aware of a lot now.
In his post-fight speech after their Struggle of the Yr contender, Nurmagomedov acknowledged simply how good Hughes is.
“Paul Hughes, brother, you’re the man, brother,” Nurmagomedov stated. “You’re actually the person. Brother, you might be robust. Truthfully, I underestimated this man. Whew. It was my little mistake, however nonetheless undefeated, undisputed, Bellator light-weight champion, Usman Nurmagomedov.”
Undefeated and the Bellator light-weight champion, Nurmagomedov was a heavy favourite heading into this matchup, however struggled early with the very recreation Hughes. Hughes defended takedowns and punished Nurmagomedov’s physique with punches, turning the bout right into a dogfight at instances. Nurmagomedov was finally in a position to persevere, even overcoming a degree deduction for repeated low blows within the third spherical, however says that Hughes introduced out a distinct stage from him on this bout.
“His wrestling protection, takedown protection [went] very nicely,” Nurmagomedov stated. “He’s robust, he’s robust. I didn’t suppose he can be this robust, brother. Brother, you might be actually robust [laughs]. You inform me within the head to head, this was my mistake, you had been proper, brother. Thanks a lot.
“I by no means take this harm, what I take with him on this combat. I’ve quite a lot of ache on my physique. Brother, thanks for this combat. I feel I jumped to subsequent stage due to him. He make me higher than I used to be at this time. And I feel, for positive, he received higher, too. Thanks a lot, Paul. I actually respect you brother.”
The win moved Nurmagomedov to 19-0, 1 No-Contest in his skilled profession.
