Usman Nurmagomedov admits Paul Hughes’ pre-fight accusation was accurate. He underestimated the Irishman before their fight on Saturday, but left the match with a completely different attitude.
In the main event of the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai, Nurmagomedov (19-0) defeated Hughes (13-2) by unanimous decision, but it was a battle. Nurmagomedov views this experience as one he can learn from.
“To be honest, it was a great fight for me,” Nurmagomedov said backstage after the event. “I’m going to the depths of the ocean. I know what I can do next time. I underestimated this guy a little. It was a mistake, but whatever. Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, whatever It happens. Of course, I’m human Like everyone, every athlete, I have weaknesses. I have strong qualities, I’m not someone who can never lose. will never lose.
“Five rounds, I was only thinking about how to finish him. Every round, I was following the goal of going to finish him. I think that’s my biggest mistake. For Allah, Alhamdulillah, I think that It was a good fight, for the fans, first of all, and for me too.”
As Nurmagomedov spoke, he processed the loss in real time, while sucking in large amounts of wind. The effects of this 25-minute fight were evident. While there is still a lot of thinking and analysis to be done, Nurmagomedov said the decision not to travel to the United States to train with his main team before the fight likely played a major role.
“I was without my team,” Nurmagomedov said. “I prepared for my fight without my team, without Khabib, without Islam, without my brother Umar, without Gadzhi. I was in a gym in Dagestan and I was alone.”
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As for what comes next, Nurmagomedov didn’t specify what he wanted. The suggestion of an immediate rematch, however, did not excite him. If Hughes wants another chance, he has to earn it, Nurmagomedov said.
“No, he has to win with some two, three, four fights in (PFL),” Nurmagomedov said. “He only had two fights and they gave him a title shot. But Paul Hughes, that’s all my respect for the guy. I think if he goes into the tournament for $1 million, he’ll get 100 percent chance of winning this belt Then we can talk about rematches.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Usman Nurmagomedov admits he underestimated Paul Hughes, ends rematch immediately