Eager to get back into the cage, Archie Colgan was delighted upon receiving news that his next bout was not only scheduled but also designated as a No. 1 contender`s match. The stakes were clear: the winner would earn the highly coveted shot at lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.
While this was welcome news for Colgan, it understandably caused frustration for Paul Hughes. Hughes has been vocal about wanting a rematch against Nurmagomedov since their incredibly close majority decision loss in January. When the PFL initially announced Colgan’s fight against Mansour Barnaoui with the title shot implications, Hughes took to social media to express his disbelief, calling it “rage bait.”
Although Hughes may indeed get another crack at the title in the future, Colgan insists that his recent fight was explicitly presented as a No. 1 contender bout from the outset. Following his decisive victory over Barnaoui, Colgan feels he has unequivocally earned this opportunity.
Colgan stated, “I had known that leading into it. [My manager] Ali [Abdelaziz] had told me that my next fight was going to be a No. 1 contender fight.” He added, “I do expect to fight Usman next. If I didn’t, it would have made no sense [labeling] it as a No. 1 contender’s fight. They should have just called it a showcase fight then. It would have made no sense for them to go the extra mile and say ‘the No. 1 contender’s fight’ and the winner will be fighting Usman Nurmagomedov. They can’t get any more cut and dry than that. So as of right now, I am expecting to be the next guy who fights Usman.”
Colgan acknowledges Hughes` potential disappointment, especially considering Hughes secured a swift, impressive finish in his most recent fight to rebound from the loss to Nurmagomedov earlier in the year.
However, Colgan firmly believes his own impressive 12-0 record and steady ascent through the lightweight division have earned him this specific chance.
“No shade against Paul Hughes,” Colgan commented. “I think he’s a great fighter. I think Paul Hughes had his opportunity, and he put on a great fight. A very good fight, and he came up a little bit short. That was his opportunity at the time. I think that I am due that next opportunity. I don’t plan on coming up short.”
Despite how close Hughes came on the scorecards, he ultimately lost the tight decision.
During that contest, Hughes displayed remarkable takedown defense and grappling skills, successfully neutralizing some of Nurmagomedov’s primary weapons, particularly his wrestling. While Colgan respects Hughes` ability to pose challenges for Nurmagomedov in that area, he confidently asserts that a matchup against him presents a fundamentally different dynamic.
Colgan, a former standout wrestler at the University of Wyoming before his MMA career, is confident he possesses tools that can trouble Nurmagomedov in ways Hughes couldn`t.
“That is the argument. That’s my argument at least,” Colgan explained. “Not only when [Usman] goes to take me down, it will be hard for him, and he’ll know going into it that this guy has a good wrestling base, so the grappling exchanges are going to be harder. But also what happens when he gets taken down? He’s never really had to look at fights from that perspective.”
He elaborated on his offensive grappling threat: “What happens when this guy takes me down? What happens when I have to build back up and stand up and fight hands to stand back up? That is not just a possibility, but it’s going to happen. I will get takedowns. I will score takedowns. I agree that he’ll probably take me down; he’s a very high-level fighter. I’m aware of that. I get taken down, and I’m prepared for that. No shade against Paul, but I pose an offensive threat [with my wrestling], not just a defensive threat of stopping your takedowns, but I’ll take you down.”
As of now, Colgan states the PFL has not yet finalized scheduling details, but he anticipates the title fight against Nurmagomedov will likely occur around October or November.
Assuming he is successful in his title bid, Colgan welcomes any challenge the PFL presents. He suggests that only after that might Hughes get another chance at the belt, but for now, he believes Hughes needs to wait his turn.
“Of course [I would fight Paul Hughes],” Colgan confirmed. “At that point, the shots are called then. You’re champ, you own the belt, you become the hunted. Whoever they see fit to be the person. Just like I’m lined up here. There will be a list.”
He concluded by outlining the potential contenders in the division: “I’m sure Usman would want a rematch. I’m sure Paul Hughes would want his crack. Then there’s obviously the tournament; probably in my opinion is Gadzhi [Rabadanov] would probably be the tournament winner. There’s going to be a list of guys.”
