Paul Hughes is angling for a combat with Bellator light-weight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.
‘Massive Information’ continues to be early on in his tenure with PFL and Bellator. Paul Hughes famously selected to signal with Donn Davis and the promotion, over Dana White and the UFC earlier this yr. In his promotional debut earlier this summer season, the Irishman scored a second-round knockout victory over Bobby King.
Subsequent month, Paul Hughes will return to the cage in Saudi Arabia on PFL pay-per-view. On the undercard of Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira, the light-weight prospect will face former Bellator champion, A.J. McKee. For his half, ‘Mercenary’ enters the competition on a four-fight successful streak, final defeating Clay Collard by submission in February.
The previous Cage Warriors star broke down his return in a latest interview with MMA Junkie. There, Paul Hughes previewed his combat with A.J. McKee, and in addition his future plans. Talking within the interview, the light-weight contender opened up on a possible bout with Bellator champion, Usman Nurmagomedov. For his half, the Russian is coming off a call win over Alexandr Shabliy earlier this month.
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Paul Hughes focusing on combat with Bellator light-weight champion Usman Nurmagomedov
Whereas Paul Hughes might both combat in PFL or Bellator after dealing with McKee, he believes a title shot within the latter makes essentially the most sense. Within the interview with MMA Junkie, the light-weight additionally drew parallels between a combat with Usman Nurmagomedov, and Conor McGregor’s bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov. Hughes seemingly views the potential title combat as half two between Eire and Russia.
“Proper now what’s most fun to me is certainly combating Usman.” Paul Hughes acknowledged within the interview. “That’s Russia vs. Eire 2. That’s an Irishman vs. a Nurmagomedov. Clearly, there’s going to be a storyline there as effectively with A.J. purported to be the subsequent man up, however at any time when I beat him, it’s bought to be me subsequent.” (h/t MMA Junkie)
He continued, “Usman is a man I’ve known as out a few occasions on social media. I used to be going to name him out after my debut with Bellator however he had simply been booked that week. He’s undoubtedly somebody that I’ve saved my eye on, and at any time when I beat A.J., then we’ll see what occurs.”
What do you make of those feedback from the Bellator fighter? Do you wish to see Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes?