The lightweight division in the PFL is buzzing, largely thanks to Paul Hughes. The Irish contender has made it abundantly clear who he wants next: champion Usman Nurmagomedov. And now, Hughes is putting a potential timeline on that highly anticipated rematch, hinting strongly at an October date.
This isn`t just any call-out. The demand for a second fight stems from their initial clash back in January. That bout, notably the final fight in Bellator history, was a true test for Nurmagomedov, pushed to the limit by Hughes in a competitive affair that left many wanting more.
Since then, Hughes hasn`t waited around. He delivered a spectacular, lightning-fast knockout against Bruno Miranda at PFL Belfast, proving his credentials haven`t diminished. But the Nurmagomedov rematch remains the target, and Hughes has been relentless in his pursuit, employing a mix of performance and psychological tactics.
His latest move came during the PFL`s recent event in Belgium. Appearing cageside, Hughes embraced a bit of playful provocation, brandishing a toy duck – a clear jab at Nurmagomedov, suggesting the champion might be avoiding a return engagement. Later, a social media post featuring fight highlights and the simple caption “October” further fueled speculation that a date is being eyed.
Navigating the PFL`s Lightweight Puzzle
While Hughes is busy campaigning and dropping hints, the PFL lightweight title picture isn`t entirely straightforward. The promotion recently seemed to identify Archie Colgan as the next in line for Nurmagomedov, following Colgan`s victory over Mansour Barnaoui in a designated number one contender fight.
Adding another layer of complexity is the ongoing PFL World Tournament. Should Gadzhi Rabadanov, one of Nurmagomedov`s teammates, emerge as the tournament winner, the situation becomes even more intricate. Fighter loyalty typically prevents teammates from competing against each other, which could logically push Colgan forward as the mandatory challenger, despite Rabadanov`s tournament success.
This presents the PFL with a classic promotional dilemma. On one hand, they have an officially sanctioned contender in Colgan. On the other, Paul Hughes is arguably one of their biggest drawcards, a fan favorite who consistently sells tickets and generates significant buzz, particularly after his captivating performance against Nurmagomedov the first time around. Ignoring the clamor for the rematch seems commercially challenging.
So, while the official path might point elsewhere, Paul Hughes continues his very public campaign, seemingly confident that an October date for the Nurmagomedov rematch is a real possibility. His combination of in-cage success and out-of-cage pressure makes him a compelling figure in the division, leaving fans eager to see if his persistence, and perhaps a little theatrical `duck`ery, will pay off.
