Paul Hughes is confident he will eventually meet Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov in the cage again but admits he isn`t surprised that an immediate rematch wasn`t granted.
Their initial encounter in January was decided by a razor-thin majority decision in Nurmagomedov`s favor. Hughes promptly expressed interest in a swift rematch, but Nurmagomedov indicated that the fighter from Belfast, Northern Ireland, would need at least one more victory before earning another shot at the championship.
While he eagerly awaits a future chance to face Nurmagomedov again, Hughes wasn`t taken aback by this decision. His path forward now involves securing that coveted rematch by winning his upcoming fight against Bruno Miranda this Saturday.
Hughes explained that he fully anticipated Nurmagomedov would attempt to postpone the rematch for as long as possible. He felt the champion was “almost broken” during their fight and came “very, very close” to losing his belt, suggesting the outcome might have differed without a head clash late in the bout. Hughes wasn`t surprised by the delay, especially given his personal belief that he won their first contest.
He acknowledged that Nurmagomedov, as the champion, has the prerogative to make such demands. However, Hughes remains adamant that his opportunity will arrive soon. He believes a victory over Bruno Miranda will leave “absolutely no question” that he is the undisputed next challenger for Usman, regardless of the specific date the fight occurs.
Although theoretically Hughes could have refused other fights and simply waited for the PFL to book the rematch, this wasn`t a consideration for him.
Hughes has always prioritized staying active as a fighter. The fight against Miranda offered an additional benefit: the chance to headline an event in his hometown of Belfast.
Hughes dismissed the idea of a prolonged layoff, stating that fighters “don`t get paid unless we fight.” Being “young, healthy, [and] ready to go,” he intends to maintain his activity level. He emphasized that continuous fighting and participation in training camps are the primary ways he improves his skills.
He views the rematch with Nurmagomedov as an inevitability, acknowledging, “We all know it’s going to happen,” likely towards the end of the year. In the meantime, seizing the opportunity to fight at home fulfills a major item on his “MMA bucket list,” provides further development through a training camp, and offers financial compensation, making the current situation entirely positive.
Despite the ongoing discussion surrounding the Nurmagomedov rematch, Hughes is careful not to fall into the trap of overlooking his immediate opponent.
Even though betting odds might suggest a straightforward win against Miranda, Hughes fully understands the significant danger involved in underestimating any opponent in combat sports.
He referenced boxer Ryan Garcia`s recent unexpected loss to Rolly Romero as a prime example of this danger, where Garcia appeared focused on a different potential future opponent.
Hughes has observed similar upsets throughout his career and is determined to avoid that pitfall, focusing solely on the challenge directly in front of him.
Calling Bruno Miranda “a very dangerous guy,” Hughes explained that he thoroughly studies all fighters in his weight class. He described Miranda as a “big puncher” who has competed against numerous world champions and is “not being taken lightly in any regard.” He is treating the fight with extreme seriousness, viewing it essentially as “another world title fight,” especially with the added pressure of performing and delivering for his hometown crowd. He warned that Miranda possesses the capability to secure a knockout if he makes a mistake.
Hughes reiterated the absolute necessity of taking the fight “unbelievably serious.” While acknowledging the inherent risk in mixed martial arts, he noted that “without risk there is no reward.” Ultimately, he is fulfilling a dream by fighting at the SSE Arena in Belfast, bringing the PFL company there and showcasing local talent, which he considers an “incredible opportunity.”
Fighting at home presents unique dynamics. Hughes will undoubtedly enjoy being the headliner, but the expectations for his performance will also be higher than ever before.
Hughes embraces this pressure, recognizing that headlining a card in Belfast is a dream come true and understanding that this opportunity might be a singular occurrence.
Regarding the pressure, Hughes is unfazed. He stated he is accustomed to fighting under pressure and handles it effectively, believing “Pressure creates diamonds.”
He confidently asserted his consistency as a competitor, stating that he is someone who “always shows up” on fight night and that trait will not change.
