Undeterred by Conor McGregor, Paul Hughes tapping into Carl Frampton's momentum prior to PFL Belfast comeback.
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Don't expect Paul Hughes to give a hoot about Conor McGregor at PFL Belfast. That's 'cause the 28-year-old has his sights set on something else – yakking it up with Carl Frampton, who dished out top-notch advice that'll be key for Saturday's big night.
Hughes ain't worried 'bout messaging McGregor, looking instead for quality chats with Frampton, who's got plenty of championship experience under his belt. The young gun has shared some golden words with Frampton, and he's ready to take the ring like a seasoned pro.
"McGregor won't even cross my mind," Hughes said, explainin' how he's busy carvin' his own path. Talkin' to talkSPORT.com, he emphasized that he's his own man, makin' his decisions without any pesky distractions.
It's not a shock, then, that Hughes is focusin' on his epic homecoming, headlinin' the main event at Belfast's SSE Arena. This fight has been a bucket-list item for ages, and he ain't gonna waste a second thinkin' about McGregor when it's his time to shine.
Hughes is headin' into the battle fresh off a close decision loss to Usman Nurmagomedov in January, a bout that headlined the PFL's kickoff card in Dubai. Though he didn't score PFL gold, his stock shot through the roof – and it wasn't only his guts and spirit against a legend that earned him attention.
No sir, it was McGregor's public attack on Hughes' Northern Irish nationality that garnered the limelight. Hughes had exchanged words with Khabib Nurmagomedov's team after the fight, braggin' he wasn't like "that other guy." To avoid any confusion, fans thought McGregor would be in Hughes' corner, but that never came to be.
When it comes to McGregor's vulgar remarks, Hughes says they need to be taken "with a pinch of salt." Guess it's no surprise that Old Man McGregor's not on Hughes' mind as the big day approaches.
With everything on the line, Hughes could pass as the most laid-back dude in all of Northern Ireland. A win would practically guarantee a rematch with Usman, likely in Dubai in September. A loss, however, would be a tough pill to swallow, with defeat looming in his hometown. It'd mean a few more fights before another shot at gold, but Paul's got the right mindset – he's all about pressure and shinin' like a diamond.
"When I think pressure, I think diamonds, and that's when I shine," Hughes declared, makin' it clear that he's ready for whatever comes his way. Bring it on, we say!
Hughes has been sharin' some valuable moments with Belfast legend Carl Frampton, who won his first world title in the Belfast lights back in 2014. Frampton was named Ring Magazine's Fighter of the Year in 2016, with wins over two undefeated opponents – Scott Quigg and Leo Santa Cruz.
Frampton revealed that he believes there's no one alive in Hughes' weight class who could beat him at home, and Hughes plans to tap into that energetic mindset. His confidence is strong, and it's clear that he's got a lot of pressure to carry now that 11,000 fans will cheer him on from the SmartCage. But for Hughes, that's just another opportunity to show off his skills and shine.
"When I think pressure, I think diamonds, and that's when I shine," Hughes concluded, reflectin' on his ability to perform under the spotlight. The big night is nearly here, and you better believe Hughes' gonna sparksin' Diamonds are his best friend, and he's ready to light up the arena!
- Paul Hughes, unfazed by Conor McGregor's comments, has expressed that he's more interested in learning from Carl Frampton, a seasoned pro with championship experience.
- Despite McGregor's public attack on his Northern Irish nationality, Hughes is keeping his focus on Saturday's main event at Belfast's SSE Arena, a fight he's dreamt of for years.
- In the world of MMA, Hughes stands out as a true contender, having shown great guts and spirit in his previous fight against Usman Nurmagomedov, even though he didn't secure PFL gold.
- Contrary to popular belief, McGregor won't be a part of Hughes' corner in his upcoming fight, as Hughes takes "McGregor's vulgar remarks with a pinch of salt."
- As the pathway to UFC continues to unfold in various sports like NHL, F1, and UFC, with personalities like Khabib and McGregor making headlines, Hughes remains steadfast in his goal to shine like a diamond under the spotlight.
