PFL superstar Paul Hughes isn’t happy with the latest hurdle to the Usman Nurmagomedov rematch.
Paul Hughes and PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov spoiled fight fans with one of the wildest fights in MMA history earlier this year. In what was easily the toughest test of the undefeated Nurmagomedov’s combat sports career, Hughes and Nurmagomedov went the distance in a back-and-forth war that went to a majority decision.
After Nurmagomedov’s razor-thin margin of victory, many fans wanted to see Hughes run it back with Nurmagomedov as soon as possible. But Hughes was booked against another opponent, Bruno Miranda, in a PFL Europe-headlining bout in May, winning the fight by knockout in 42 seconds.
While many expected the PFL to book the Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes rematch for later this year, the league has opted to take an alternate approach, and fight fans aren’t happy about it.
Paul Hughes and MMA fans aren’t happy with the PFL over league’s plans for Usman Nurmagomedov
The PFL recently announced a lightweight showcase bout between Mansour Barnaoui and Archie Colgan was added to the league’s upcoming PFL World Tournament card in Nashville. In addition, the PFL clarified in a press release that the Barnaoui vs. Colgan winner will be Nurmagomedov’s next opponent.
The news didn’t go over well with PFL fans. Check out what several fans had to say on social media below.
“Are we really about to fumble the Hughes rematch?” one fan wrote on X.
“This better not mean what I think it means…” another said.
“Makes sense, PFL had made some solid moves the last couple of weeks. Needed to remind everyone that they’re still the PFL.”
“Is this some kind of joke? Where is Paul Hughes? do you ever stop self-owning?”
“F— that run the Paul Hughes rematch.”
After many fans bashed the PFL in response, Hughes issued his own statement on the head-scratching move.
In a recent post on X, Hughes responded to the PFL’s new obstacle in booking the Nurmagomedov rematch.
“Hey quit with the rage bait,” Hughes replied.
Nurmagomedov hasn’t fought since the Hughes fight and a timeline for his return to the cage is uncertain. After many Bellator/PFL standouts made recent moves to the UFC, many have called for Nurmagomedov to make the move to the Octagon.
Before defeating Hughes by majority decision, Nurmagomedov earned recent wins over Benson Henderson, Alexandr Shabliy, and Patricky Pitbull. He remains unbeaten in his career through his first 20 professional fights.
Usman Nurmagomedov revealed a major condition for Paul Hughes rematch
Amid calls for the Hughes rematch, Nurmagomedov outlined a major condition for the second chapter of their rivalry to come to fruition. After Hughes’s recent knockout win, Nurmagomedov congratulated him and claimed that he’d be the one to decide when the rematch would take place.
This leaves Hughes in a peculiar spot, and he’ll likely have to win at least one more fight before securing the Nurmagomedov rematch. While Barnaoui vs. Colgan is an intriguing matchup, the winner won’t get the same pop as Hughes in facing the dominant Nurmagomedov.
Hughes and Nurmagomedov are undoubtedly two of the PFL’s biggest stars, and fans remain hungry to see them run it back at a future date.
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