Usman Nurmagomedov Learns the Hard Way, No Quick Rematch for Paul Hughes

Usman Nurmagomedov, undefeated in his MMA career, faced Paul Hughes in the main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai. Despite his perfect record, he admitted to underestimating Hughes before their bout. The fight turned out to be tougher than expected, with Nurmagomedov winning by unanimous decision. He sees this experience as a learning moment, acknowledging that he made a mistake in not taking Hughes seriously. "It was a great fight for me, " Nurmagomedov said after the event. "I went through a lot, and now I know what I need to do differently next time. I underestimated Hughes, but that's okay. I'm human, and everyone has weaknesses and strengths. I don't think I'm someone who can't lose, but in my mind, I never plan to lose. " Nurmagomedov realized his approach was too focused on finishing Hughes rather than adapting his strategy. He also mentioned training alone in Dagestan without his usual team, which might have impacted his performance. When asked about a potential rematch, Nurmagomedov wasn't eager. He believes Hughes needs to earn it by winning more fights in the PFL. "He should prove himself with a few more wins, " said Nurmagomedov. "If he goes for the million-dollar tournament and wins, then we can talk about a rematch. "