Paul Hughes is confident he will eventually face Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov again, but he wasn`t surprised the rematch wasn`t granted immediately. Their January bout resulted in a very close majority decision win for Nurmagomedov, a result Hughes contested, believing he had done enough to win.
Hughes quickly expressed his desire for a second fight, but Nurmagomedov insisted the Belfast native must secure at least one more victory before another title opportunity. While eager for the chance, Hughes understood Nurmagomedov`s stance, especially given the difficulty of their first encounter.
“Look, he’s always going to try to extend that as long as he can because he got very, very close to losing his belt,” Hughes told MMA Fighting. “It didn’t surprise me that much considering I believe I won the fight, as everyone knows. I do believe that he was almost broken in there… Of course, he’s going to try to delay it.”
Hughes accepts the current situation, acknowledging that as the champion, Nurmagomedov has the prerogative to set terms. However, he firmly believes his time will come soon, stating that a win in his upcoming fight against Bruno Miranda on Saturday should leave no doubt that he is next in line for the title shot, whenever that may be.
The thought of refusing to fight and simply waiting for the PFL to book the Nurmagomedov rematch never occurred to Hughes. His priority is to remain active, something he has consistently done throughout his career. The fight against Bruno Miranda also presented a significant bonus: the chance to headline an event in his hometown of Belfast.
“There was never a thought of sitting out that long,” Hughes said. “At the end of the day as fighters, we don’t get paid unless we fight… I’m young, I’m healthy, I’m ready to go. I’ve been very active. I want to continue to be active. Why not? I will continue to get better and fighting and fight camps are where you get better.”
He views the upcoming fight as a chance to tick off a major item on his career bucket list – fighting at the SSE Arena in Belfast – while also improving his skills in another training camp. The financial aspect of fighting also contributes positively to his decision.
Despite the constant discussion surrounding the potential Nurmagomedov rematch, Hughes is careful not to fall into the trap of overlooking his immediate opponent. While betting odds might suggest he`s a strong favorite against Miranda, Hughes knows the dangers of complacency in combat sports. He cited boxer Ryan Garcia`s recent unexpected loss after seemingly looking past his opponent as a cautionary tale.
Hughes is determined not to make the same mistake, recognizing the serious threat Miranda poses. He describes Miranda as a “very dangerous guy” and a “big puncher” who has competed against world-class opposition. Consequently, Hughes is treating the Miranda fight with the utmost seriousness, essentially preparing for it as if it were a world title bout.
“Bruno is the type of guy if you slip up, he can knock you clean out. He has the capabilities to do that,” Hughes warned. “So I have to take the fight unbelievably serious. Any fight in mixed martial arts there is risk but without risk there is no reward.”
Fighting at home brings its own unique set of challenges and pressures. While Hughes will undoubtedly be the biggest star on the card, the expectation to perform at a high level in front of his home crowd is immense. However, Hughes embraces this pressure, seeing it as integral to achieving his dream and showcasing the potential for major MMA events in Belfast.
“There’s pressure every time I fight now,” Hughes stated confidently. “I’m f*cking used to it. I’m the f*cking best. So I always deal with it well. Pressure creates diamonds.”
He concluded by asserting his consistent reliability as a competitor, assuring that he will always show up and perform on fight night, a track record he intends to maintain in Belfast.