January 12, 2025 3:30 pm ET
Usman Nurmagomedov doesn’t suppose Paul Hughes is a viable risk to his Bellator light-weight title.
With Nurmagomedov (18-0) quick on contemporary contenders, nevertheless, he accepts Hughes (13-1) because the challenger to his throne once they meet in the primary occasion of PFL’s Road to Dubai card Jan. 25. However with simply two victories within the promotion and just one notable outcome over A.J. McKee in October, the champ doesn’t actually see Hughes as worthy.
“It was not a loopy combat (with McKee),” Nurmagomedov advised MMA Junkie. “For my opinion, this combat isn’t a contender combat. In case you make a contender combat, make it 5 rounds. These guys make it three rounds they usually give him a title shot. However perhaps this combat is nice for media, and that’s why they offer me Paul, who has solely two fights in Bellator. However I don’t care. Give me some identify, a date, and I will likely be there and I will likely be prepared.”
There may be some extent of rigidity going into the matchup. Nurmagomedov’s coach and cousin Khabib threw fuel on the promotional fire by taking photographs on the stage of Irish MMA in comparison with Dagestan, and people feedback haven’t sat properly with Hughes, who has made claims of steroid use towards the opposing staff.
Nurmagomedov, 26, agrees with Khabib that his area of the world has the superior expertise, however he’s not letting Hughes’ outrage concern him. He’s just lately frolicked round Hughes, 27, and vouches for him as a stable individual whereas dismissing any trash discuss as pre-fight hype.
“As an individual, he’s not a nasty man,” Nurmagomedov stated. “We have been actually joking round. I even advised the promoters, ‘Hey, I see this man too many occasions – every single day. This isn’t good for me as a result of I’ve to smash his face. How will I smash his face once I see him every single day and we smile to one another?’ However Paul isn’t a nasty man. If individuals suppose Paul Hughes is a bullsh*t man, he’s not. He is an efficient man. As a person, he’s not a nasty man.
“For my part, he’s selling this combat. That’s it. He gained’t make his identify on me. He is aware of it is a strategy to change his life in a great way. However sorry, Paul. Everyone will bear in mind him just for dropping a combat vs. Usman Nurmagomedov. That’s it.”
Nurmagomedov, who has by no means tasted defeat in his profession, is eager to log one other title protection on his resume and present why he’s a superior expertise within the sport. In his thoughts, Hughes can have nothing to supply within the cage.
“He stated when he punches me, one thing will change – however who can try this?” Nurmagomedov stated. “Somebody has punched me? By no means. No. No one can contact me. … Generally, I’m actually pondering like, ‘How may be beat me? How?’ Even placing, I’m significantly better than him in placing. I don’t learn about his plan on this combat, however I’ll comply with my plans and do my job. I don’t care what he’ll do.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai.
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MMA
Usman Nurmagomedov says Paul Hughes hopeless in title combat: ‘No one can contact me’
January 12, 2025 3:30 pm ET Usman Nurmagomedov doesn’t think Paul Hughes is a viable threat to his Bellator lightweight title. With Nurmagomedov (18-0) short on fresh contenders, however, he accepts Hughes (13-1) as the challenger to his throne when they meet in the main event of PFL’s Road to Dubai card Jan. 25. But


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