Paul Hughes is pushing for a rematch with Usman Nurmagomedov and recently hinted at a potential date while provocatively calling his rival a `duck`.
Their initial lightweight bout in January was Nurmagomedov`s most challenging fight to date. Following that contest, which was the final fight for Bellator, there has been significant demand for a rematch under the PFL banner. However, Nurmagomedov has seemingly been exploring other opponents.
Hughes, for his part, has stayed active, delivering a swift knockout victory against Bruno Miranda at PFL Belfast. Now, months after their first encounter, Hughes appears to have a specific timeframe in mind for the potential second fight.
Paul Hughes Hints at October Rematch
Hughes fueled rematch speculation during the PFL`s recent debut event in Belgium, where he was seen cageside. On the broadcast, he notably held up a toy duck, a clear jab at Usman Nurmagomedov, mirroring a gesture used by heavyweight fighter Tom Aspinall.
Further teasing the fight, Hughes shared a video on his Instagram page captioned simply “October.” The video combined moments from his loss to Nurmagomedov with highlights from his win over Miranda, building anticipation for a potential October showdown.
The post garnered excitement, with fellow fighter Caolan Loughran commenting with the same “October” message. While many fans expressed enthusiasm, some playfully suggested that Hughes was deliberately exaggerating the feud to secure the desired rematch.
PFL`s Potential New Title Contender for Nurmagomedov
Despite Hughes`s clear intentions, there`s a complication: Archie Colgan. Just last month, Colgan seemingly solidified his position as the top contender for Nurmagomedov`s lightweight title by defeating Mansour Barnaoui in a number one contender bout. Colgan has since been promoted as the next in line for a title shot.
The general expectation is that Gadzhi Rabadanov, Nurmagomedov`s teammate, will emerge as the winner of the current PFL World Lightweight Tournament. While this would typically position him for a title fight, Rabadanov would not compete against his teammate for the belt. This scenario explains why Colgan has been identified as a crucial alternative contender.
While the promotion appears inclined towards Colgan challenging for the belt next, Paul Hughes remains a massive fan favorite and a significant driver of ticket sales and overall support. This popularity creates a potentially challenging decision for PFL when determining Nurmagomedov`s next title defense.
Gareth Pendleton