Paul Hughes has little question 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 dropping finish of the scorecards. It didn’t take lengthy for Hughes to ask about working it again ahead of later however Nurmagomedov shot that down whereas saying the Belfast, Eire native wanted to win at the very least yet another struggle earlier than getting one other shot at his title.
Whereas he’s anxiously awaiting the possibility 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 at all times going to attempt to prolong that so long as he can as a result of he obtained very, very near dropping his belt,” Hughes advised MMA Preventing. “It didn’t shock me that a lot contemplating I consider I gained the struggle, as everybody is aware of. I do consider that he was nearly damaged in there. Had the pinnacle conflict not occurred on the finish of the fourth [round]. In fact, 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. At any time when that’s, I’m undecided, but it surely’s coming.”
In idea, Hughes might have probably refused to struggle once more and simply waited for the PFL to e book him in opposition to Nurmagomedov however that thought by no means really crossed his thoughts.
Hughes has at all times wished to remain as lively as potential however there was an added bonus with the Miranda struggle as a result of now he will get the possibility to headline a card at house 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 except 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 wish 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, most likely finish of the yr so in fact, I’m going to take the chance to struggle at house within the meantime. In fact, I’m. It means actually I’m taking off No. 1 on my MMA bucket listing and in addition enhancing. One other struggle camp and in addition in fact you become profitable whenever 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 entice by wanting previous his subsequent opponent.
Regardless of the percentages saying he ought to primarily stroll via 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 laborious method this previous weekend when he was gunning for a rematch in opposition to Devin Haney and ended up dropping a stunning choice to Rolly Romero as a substitute.
Hughes has seen these sorts of conditions occur to different fighters up to now and he gained’t permit himself to fall prey to wanting forward with out realizing the danger standing immediately in entrance of him.
“Look, Bruno is a really harmful man,” Hughes stated. “I knew that earlier than we signed the struggle. Clearly, I research all people that’s in my form of bracket. Very harmful man. Massive puncher. Has been in there with numerous world champions. Somebody that’s not being taken frivolously in any regard. I’ve needed to deal with this as one other world title struggle, primarily. With this added stress of being at house and delivering there, there’s lots on the road right here and Bruno is the kind of man if you happen to 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 blended martial arts there’s danger however with out danger there isn’t any reward. On the finish of the day, I get to stay 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 unimaginable alternative.”
Preventing at house additionally presents distinctive points as a result of Hughes goes to take pleasure in being the largest star on the whole card however the expectations for him to carry out are additionally greater than ever earlier than.
Hughes embraces that stress, particularly figuring out that headlining a card in Belfast is a dream come true and there’s at all times the possibility that is the one time he’ll get the chance.
“There’s stress each time I struggle now,” Hughes stated. “I’m f*cking used to it. I’m the f*cking finest. So I at all times take care of it effectively. Stress creates diamonds.
“I’m a competitor that at all times exhibits up. You’ve by no means seen me via any night time of my profession not present up on struggle night time and that won’t change.”
