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9 hours ago
Paul Hughes says Usman Nurmagomedov “didn’t want” the rematch between the two fighters which will take place in Dubai on 3 October.
The rivals will fight again, this time for the PFL lightweight world title, after Nurmagomedov beat Hughes by majority decision in an enthralling first bout in January.
Derry’s Hughes has called for a sequel since February and his wish has belatedly been granted by PFL, with Hughes citing Nurmagomedov as the primary reason for the delay.
“I’m certain he didn’t want this, he tried to delay this for the longest period, that’s why the fight only got done very recently but ultimately he is not bigger than the organisation,” Hughes told BBC Sport NI’s Michael Markey.
“The PFL told him what’s up and he had to say yes otherwise he would have got stripped [of his title] to be honest.”
‘My eyes have always been set on the rematch’
PFL MMAIn the aftermath of what is considered one of the fights of the year, the unbeaten Nurmagomedov admitted he had “underestimated” Hughes.
While Hughes believes Nurmagomedov will be sharper for the rematch as a result, the 28-year-old also knows he will need to change his approach from the first fight.
Hughes says that has been his focus this year and he thinks he will be better prepared, having taken his record to 14-2 with a 42-second stoppage of Bruno Miranda at the SSE Arena in May in his last fight.
“I now have five rounds in there with him, so I need to make those adjustments, and I have been making them since I left the cage the first time,” he added.
“Yes, I had a fight in the time in between that, but my eyes have always been set on that rematch. Every decision I have made in the last couple of months has been with the idea of getting that belt.
“It’s easy for me to say I’m going to put pressure on him earlier, I am fighting one of the best fighters in the world, you can’t put too much pressure on him early or you’ll get clipped, so I have to find different ways to break him down and because of how close the first fight was he will be the best he can possibly be.”
Hughes, who will head out to Dubai for a training camp to acclimatise before the co-main event of the PFL Champions Series, also said that the satisfaction of beating Nurmagomedov will mean more than the PFL title.
“I’m not thinking about the belt, it is about beating Usman. The belt will be a lovely reward but I’m focusing on beating the man,” he continued.
“I got so close the first time and I believe when I get the job done this time it is MMA superstardom.”
