Usman Nurmagomedov shoots down Paul Hughes' call for PFL title rematch in Belfast

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Usman Nurmagomedov has told Bloody Elbow that he has no interest in coming to Ireland to fight Paul Hughes again.

The pair had a vicious back-and-forth fight in the main event of PFL’s first show in Dubai, with many already calling it a fight of the year contender. Nurmagomedov came away with the Majority Decision, after one judge scored the bout a draw.

However, despite calls for an immediate rematch in Hughes’ home country, it seems that the champion isn’t too keen on the idea. Instead, he believes his rival must now win as many as four fights in order to get another shot after he feels he was rushed into contention.

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Usman Nurmagomedov defeats Paul Hughes in Dubai thriller

Following an intense build-up that appeared to be leading towards a blood feud, Usman Nurmagomedov managed to get over on Paul Hughes on Saturday night in Dubai. The Russian struggled to get the takedown early but managed to push enough pressure to take the rounds and get a victory.

Despite sporting an all-star corner that included Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, Hughes managed to make the champion look human for perhaps the first time in his professional career. The pair went back-and-forth on the feet and the Russian even had a point taken, but it wasn’t to be.

Many fans were upset with the judges’ scorecards, which saw two score it 48-46 for the Russian. But ultimately it does seem a fair enough result for the champion who pushed the pace from early on and managed to survive some heavy shots and land his takedown in the latter stages.

Paul Hughes calls for Belfast rematch with Usman Nurmagomedov

Immediately after the decision was read, Hughes made his case for a rematch and even invited the Nurmagomedov family to Ireland to do it in Belfast. This would be wildly controversial given their history with the nation and Conor McGregor, but it appeared to rile up the Coca-Cola Arena crowd.

“To see this arena packed out like this for a PFL show, like I said before the PFL believed in me and I believed in the PFL,” Hughes said after the fact. “Look at what we’re doing, I just can’t wait to see whta’s in the future.

“We have to do the rematch in Belfast. It has to be in Belfast, we’ve got to bring it back to Ireland for a homecoming for me. I think I’ve earned this.

“And one thing I would say, all the guys from Dagestan coming over to Ireland you would be welcomed with open arms because we have great respect for a small fighting nation like you guys. I know things get put out there in the media, but this is martial arts at the end of the day.

“Yes the lines get blurred at times and maybe it did get personal with me and Usman but look, we settled our differences in here. There’s a lot of respect and I know for a fact we’re going to do it again some day and I know that I will be the victor next time.”

Usman Nurmagomedov turns down Paul Hughes’ Belfast rematch offer

Unfortunately for the Irishman, it doesn’t seem that Usman Nurmagomedov is too keen on the idea of a rematch in the Emerald Isle. He reckons that due to his rival’s star power he was given a fast track to the title, and that he must first win as many as five fights to earn another shot.

“For rematch? He has to win a couple,” he told media including Bloody Elbow after the fight. “Like maybe three, four or five in Bellator because he had only two fights and they gave him a title shot. But Paul Hughes, all my respect to this guy.

“I think if he will go to the tournament for $500,000 he 100 per cent has a chance to take this belt and then we can talk about a rematch.”

Asked after the scrum by Bloody Elbow if he would be willing to go to Belfast, he replied: “No, brother. I want to take my time and will enjoy.”

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