Paul Hughes accepts Khabib Nurmagomedov invite to Dagestan with one major condition
In the main event of last night’s PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series, Usman Nurmagomedov barely squeaked past Paul Hughes to retain his lightweight title – and we mean ‘barely’.
Despite being a sizable underdog, ‘Big News’ put on a career-best performance, with the undefeated Russian forced to admit after the fight that he’s sorely underestimated the Irishman’s toughness.
Those compliments extended to coach Khabib Nurmagomedov, who has since invited Paul Hughes and his family out to Dagestan as an ‘example for many young generations’.
Paul Hughes accepts Khabib Nurmagomedov’s offer with one condition
After paying compliments to the country of Ireland, the legendary former UFC champion took to social media to not only thank Paul Hughes for the PFL title showdown but to offer an invitation for him and his family to visit his homeland.
“Thank you for the fight, Paul Hughes, and for the experience, I invite you and your whole team and family to Dagestan, any time you want, believe me you will like it, and your arrival will serve as a good example for many young generations.”
It didn’t take long for Hughes to respond and accept Khabib’s invitation – albeit on one major condition; that he get the chance to fight Usman Nurmagomedov for a second time.
“Thank you, Khabib. I have great respect for you, your team and your nation,” Hughes wrote on X.
“I would be honoured to take you up on this offer someday and then return the favour in Ireland… But please, only after I get to rematch Usman.”
Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like Usman Nurmagomedov is keen on giving Hughes an immediate rematch, nor for their second fight to take place in Belfast.
“For rematch? He has to win a couple, like maybe three, four or five in Bellator because he had only two fights and they gave him a title shot – but Paul Hughes, all my respect to this guy,” he told Bloody Elbow after the fight.
“I think if he will go to the tournament for $500,000, he 100% has a chance to take this belt and then we can talk about a rematch.”
When asked whether he’d be willing to face Hughes in Belfast, he replied: “No, brother. I want to take my time and will enjoy.”
Usman Nurmagomedov admits he ‘underestimated’ Paul Hughes
Speaking in the cage to Dan Hardy, Usman Nurmagomedov would not only hail Hughes’ fighting spirit but also admitted that he’d significantly underestimated his strength and toughness.
“Paul Hughes, brother, you are the man brother, you are really the man,” celebrated Usman Nurmagomedov of his barely vanquished foe.
“Honestly, I underestimated this guy, that was my mistake but still undefeated, undisputed lightweight champion… He’s tough, he’s strong, I didn’t think you would be that strong brother, but you are really strong.
Tension between the two fighters had been building nicely before the event, with Irish and Dagestani fans even coming to blows after an intense pre-fight face-off.
“You tell me in the face-to-face that this was my mistake, and you were right brother,” acknowledged Nurmagomedov.
“Thank you so much… I never taken this [much] damage as I take in this fight, I have a lot of pain in my body – thank you for this fight.”
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