Revealed Correspondence with Nurmagomedov: Hughes Alleges His Evasion of Revenge Fight
Score a Bonus
In an unexpected turn of events, Irish MMA fighter Paul Hughes has opened up about his heated exchange with PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, accusing him of intentionally postponing a rematch. Their initial encounter ended with a narrow majority decision win for Nurmagomedov, and he subsequently stated that Hughes must secure another victory for a rematch to take place. Hughes did just that, defeating veteran Bruno Miranda in merely 42 seconds in May. Yet, when Hughes reached out to Nurmagomedov personally, the latter demanded "more wins." In an interview with MMA Fighting, Hughes expressed his thoughts on the situation:
"It's bloody obvious - he's just stalling! He realizes I'll wipe the floor with him in the rematch."
Things got even messier when PFL announced that the lightweight title contender would be determined through a bout between Mansour Barnaoui and Archie Colgan on June 20. However, Hughes remains optimistic, hoping to right his wrongs by the end of the year.
👇 Worth a Look:
- Kamaru Usman Expresses Thoughts on the Forthcoming Clash Between Dusko Todorovic and Khamzat Chimaev
- Alexander Volkov Reveals Whose Corner He'll Be Cheering In the Battle Between Danila "Dagestani" and Alexander Shkolay
- Aljamain Sterling Warns Sean O'Malley That the UFC's Favoritism Has Its Limits
Behind the Scenes:Paul Hughes has accused Usman Nurmagomedov of stalling a rematch in the PFL lightweight division following their previous encounter in January. Prior to this, Hughes has been vocal about his ambition for an immediate rematch to settle their rivalry[3].
Reports suggest that Nurmagomedov seems to be prolonging the process, though the specific reasons are not fully detailed in available records. Positive updates from within the PFL indicate that the rematch may still be up for grabs in the near future, as insiders have offered encouraging outlooks[2]. The situation is in a constant state of flux, as both fighters and the promotion work through negotiations and logistical challenges[2][3].
Hughes recently secured a knockout win at PFL Europe 1 in May, sparking excitement and anticipation for a potential rematch between him and Nurmagomedov[1].
Bookmakers are likely to see a surge of bets on the PFL lightweight division, as the rematch between Paul Hughes and Usman Nurmagomedov remains uncertain due to alleged stalling tactics by Nurmagomedov. Despite the ongoing tensions, sports fans continue to show keen interest in mixed-martial-arts events, especially those featuring high-profile figures like Hughes and Nurmagomedov.
