Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes Set for Epic PFL Rematch This October
The anticipated rematch sees Nurmagomedov and Hughes back in the ring, continuing their heated rivalry after an intense first bout.
On January 25, PFL hosted an exhilarating lightweight championship match in Dubai where unbeaten champion Usman Nurmagomedov narrowly defeated Irish contender Paul Hughes by a majority decision in what was hailed as potentially the organization’s best fight to date.
Now, nine months later, the two fighters are preparing for a highly anticipated rematch scheduled on October 3 in the same venue. Both fighters have expressed their readiness through various interviews leading up to this encounter.
“In the buildup to the last fight, I warned him, ‘You are overlooking me, and that will be your downfall.’ And it was,” said Hughes during an interview last week. Hughes firmly believes he was correct in his assessment of their first fight, stating, “Nurmagomedov did not take me seriously enough and I humbled him. I brought him into a fight that he had not experienced before. But he will come prepared this time, and it is my intention to ensure he does not succeed.”
The core issue between the fighters since their closely contested initial battle — which ended with scores of 47-47 and 48-46 in favor of Nurmagomedov — originates from Hughes’ belief that Nurmagomedov required pressure from the PFL regarding the rematch.
In a recent exchange, Nurmagomedov chuckled when addressed with Hughes’ assertions. “If Hughes were in my position, would he give me another chance? Certainly not,” he asserted. “When we both entered this scenario, everyone wanted this fight. The only person who could halt this bout is me. Yet, I told my manager Ali Abdelaziz, ‘I don’t care.’ If the PFL wants Hughes, we shall do it again. I intend to defeat him again. He is not on my level.”
Nurmagomedov was able to dominate Hughes for most of their first fight, but just as he began to tire, Hughes started to launch effective body shots that visibly impacted the champion. Hughes was adamant in his plans for the rematch, stating, “This time, I will put pressure on him early and make him fight for every position. I will not relent until he is defeated.”
In response, Nurmagomedov acknowledged past mistakes during their initial contest and attributed it to not being in peak conditioning for that fight.
As the fighters gear up for their rematch, a significant buzz surrounds this clash, promising to deliver excitement akin to their first tussle.
