Paul Hughes has hinted at a potential new date for his rematch against Usman Nurmagomedov, on the same day he called his opponent a `duck`.
The Irish lightweight fighter provided Nurmagomedov with the most difficult challenge of his career during their encounter in January, which was the final Bellator event ever. Since then, the PFL has received numerous requests for a rematch, but Nurmagomedov has reportedly been considering other options.
Hughes has competed again since their first bout, achieving a swift knockout victory over Bruno Miranda in the main event of PFL Belfast. It now appears he may have a specific date for the rematch, months after their initial clash.
Paul Hughes Hints at New Date for Usman Nurmagomedov Rematch
Recently, Paul Hughes attended the PFL`s inaugural event in Belgium from cageside. He was shown on the broadcast and, mimicking Tom Aspinall, held up a toy duck, seemingly to provoke Usman Nurmagomedov.
Following this, Hughes posted a video on his Instagram with the caption “October”. The video included highlights from his loss to Nurmagomedov, followed by footage of his win over Miranda, indicating preparation for a second fight.
Newly signed bantamweight Caolan Loughran echoed the “October” message in a comment. While many commenters expressed excitement about the prospect of a rematch, some jokingly suggested Hughes was `milking` the situation to secure the fight.
PFL Names New Top Contender for Usman Nurmagomedov`s Title
Despite Hughes` hopes, there`s the matter of Archie Colgan, who last month was announced as potentially earning a shot at Nurmagomedov`s championship. Colgan defeated Mansour Barnaoui in a number one contender bout in Wichita and has been promoted as the next challenger.
It`s widely expected that Gadzhi Rabadanov, a teammate of Nurmagomedov, will win the PFL World Tournament this year at lightweight, which *should* position him for a title shot. However, teammates typically avoid fighting each other, explaining why Colgan is being positioned as a top contender.
While the promotion appears focused on Colgan as the next challenger for the belt, Hughes remains a strong fan favorite and one of their top draws for attendance and support. This could create a difficult situation for the PFL when deciding on the next fight booking.
