Usman Nurmagomedov has spoken out about the true reason he was out of sorts in his first fight with Paul Hughes – and why their rematch will be different.
The undefeated Russian’s surname places him as royalty in MMA, with his cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov one of the greatest fighters to ever live. But last time out, he had to split his camp as his brother Umar and their close friend Islam Makhachev were competing at UFC 311 a week prior.
While the main team prepared in California, Usman and his trainers worked in Dagestan before heading to Dubai where Khabib and Makhachev joined him on fight day.
But after his brother’s loss to Merab Dvalishvili and subsequent injury, they were separated for both of each other’s fights in a very rare occurrence.
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Usman Nurmagomedov admits splintered camp cost him against Paul Hughes
At the time, Usman Nurmagomedov attempted to play down the significance of being away from his brother Umar Nurmagomedov during the most difficult night of his career. Even now, he insists that he didn’t feel helpless watching his sibling lose for the first time from halfway across the world.
However, in a moment of clarity with Bloody Elbow at Tuesday’s media day in Dubai, the unbeaten PFL champion admitted that the primary reason he performed poorly was due to his splintered camp and being away from not just his brother but the majority of his team.
“Of course,” he replied when the idea was put to him that being away from his brother’s camp caused a lackluster showing. “It was exactly the factor why I showed up to that fight like that. In my worst shape I beat this guy but now I’m in my best shape and I have to show the people who I am.”
Nurmagomedov struggled to get Irishman Paul Hughes, a former Cage Warriors featherweight champion with a striking background, down over five rounds. And many feel he was fortunate to leave with a Majority Decision, particularly after having a point deducted for repeated fouls.
However, he refuses to dwell on the emotions of that fight week, adding that: “Everything was good, this is life. Sometimes, everything doesn’t go how you want but this is life.”