Usman Nurmagomedov gives Paul Hughes no chance in title fight

Usman Nurmagomedov doesn’t suppose Paul Hughes is a viable menace to his Bellator light-weight title.

With Nurmagomedov (18-0) brief on contemporary contenders, nonetheless, he accepts Hughes (13-1) because the challenger to his throne after they meet in the principle occasion of PFL’s Street to Dubai card Jan. 25. However with simply two victories within the promotion and just one notable end result over A.J. McKee in October, the champ doesn’t actually see Hughes as worthy.

“It was not a loopy struggle (with McKee),” Nurmagomedov informed MMA Junkie. “For my opinion, this struggle is just not a contender struggle. If you happen to make a contender struggle, make it 5 rounds. These guys make it three rounds and so they give him a title shot. However perhaps this struggle is sweet for media, and that’s why they offer me Paul, who has solely two fights in Bellator. However I don’t care. Give me some title, a date, and I shall be there and I shall be prepared.”

There’s a point of rigidity going into the matchup. Nurmagomedov’s coach and cousin Khabib threw gasoline on the promotional fireplace by taking photographs on the stage of Irish MMA in comparison with Dagestan, and people feedback haven’t sat effectively with Hughes, who has made claims of steroid use towards the opposing crew.

Nurmagomedov, 26, agrees with Khabib that his area of the world has the superior expertise, however he’s not letting Hughes’ outrage concern him. He’s just lately hung out round Hughes, 27, and vouches for him as a strong particular person whereas dismissing any trash speak as pre-fight hype.

“As an individual, he’s not a foul man,” Nurmagomedov stated. “We have been actually joking round. I even informed the promoters, ‘Hey, I see this man too many occasions – daily. This isn’t good for me as a result of I’ve to smash his face. How will I smash his face once I see him daily and we smile to one another?’ However Paul is just not a foul man. If individuals suppose Paul Hughes is a bullsh*t man, he isn’t. He is an efficient man. As a person, he isn’t a foul man.

“In my view, he’s selling this struggle. That’s it. He gained’t make his title on me. He is aware of it is a strategy to change his life in a great way. However sorry, Paul. All people will keep in mind him just for shedding a struggle vs. Usman Nurmagomedov. That’s it.”

Nurmagomedov, who has by no means tasted defeat in his profession, is eager to log one other title protection on his resume and present why he’s a superior expertise within the sport. In his thoughts, Hughes can have nothing to supply within the cage.

“He stated when he punches me, one thing will change – however who can do this?” Nurmagomedov stated. “Somebody has punched me? By no means. No. No one can contact me. … Typically, I’m actually considering like, ‘How will be beat me? How?’ Even hanging, I’m a lot better than him in hanging. I don’t find out about his plan on this struggle, however I’ll observe my plans and do my job. I don’t care what he’ll do.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for Bellator Champions Sequence: Street to Dubai.