I was ’50 percent’ in title win over Paul Hughes

Regardless of popping out on prime, Usman Nurmagomedov desires followers to know that his full potential wasn’t displayed in his newest title protection.

Nurmagomedov (19-0) defended his Bellator light-weight title, a now defunct promotion underneath the PFL banner, in opposition to Irisman Paul Hughes (13-2) in the principle occasion of PFL Highway to Dubai Champions Sequence final month at Coca-Cola Enviornment in Dubai. Nurmagomedov gained a detailed and aggressive majority choice that learn 47-47, 48-46 and 48-46 on the judges’ scorecards.

Despite the fact that he retained his belt and his unbeaten document, Nurmagomedov says he was solely a fraction of himself in that cage.

“I feel I can put together for this combat higher,” Nurmagomedov advised MMA Junkie. “I do know I may be higher, greater than I used to be that evening. I for positive know I can end this man. After this combat, I see numerous my errors. For myself, I do know I used to be 50 % in that cage. I might be prepared for one hundred pc, I do know I can end this man.”

For him, coaching in Dagestan whereas the majority of his crew was in San Jose coaching at AKA was a giant challenge for his preparation. He additionally wasn’t one hundred pc wholesome getting into the combat.

“For coaching camp I did it with robust guys, like one or two, however this isn’t sufficient,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “I used to be alone, and it’s actually laborious to push your self if you don’t have your coaches. Everybody was targeted on Umar (Nurmagomedov), Islam (Makhachev), Tagir (Ulanbekov) in America.

“In fact, they management me, however it’s totally different if you’re coaching at dwelling with your loved ones and your folks. Generally it’s a must to spend time a bit bit with your loved ones and do some diner along with your brothers. This made me a bit drained and don’t get you recovered for subsequent coaching session. Additionally, after I got here to Dubai, I used to be sick two weeks earlier than the combat.”

So far as what’s subsequent, many on-line recommended a right away rematch between Nurmagomedov and Hughes, given the entertaining and aggressive nature of the combat. Some even claimed it as one of the best combat in PFL historical past.

Nonetheless, for Nurmagomedov, the combat wasn’t as shut as some individuals thought, and he desires to see Hughes show his value earlier than operating issues again.

“If the individuals need, why not? If the followers need this combat, why not? Let him combat one time, and I’ll combat with him once more, however he has to win,” Nurmagomedov defined. “He has to indicate me one thing. You possibly can’t lose all 5 rounds and say I used to be near ending him. It doesn’t work like that.”