Paul Hughes knows he must be at his best as he eyes a rematch with Usman Nurmagomedov after PFL Belfast.
Hughes is gearing up for his highly anticipated homecoming in the Northern Irish capital following a controversial defeat to Nurmagomedov in his last fight.
‘Big News’ will fight Brazilian Muay Thai specialist Bruno Miranda in the showcase main event bout at PFL Europe Belfast on May 10.
Speaking to talkSPORT.com following the announcement, Hughes revealed he is ‘pushing’ for the Nurmagomedov rematch but acknowledged his next opponent is a real threat.
“Bruno is a bad dude,” Hughes said. “A lot of knockout victories and his last three fights have been against former world champions.”
Miranda, who hones his craft in Thailand, offers an aggressive striking style that has earned him nine career knockouts.
His most recent victory last June came against former lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull, with his only two losses in the promotion coming by way of a former Bellator champion and subsequent PFL champion.
“He’s a very experienced guy. As I say, a knockout artist, so he is someone that I have to be absolutely on my game for.” Hughes added.
“When you’re fighting a specific opponent you have to craft a game plan and execute a game plan as to how he fights.
“Bruno will just be another game plan. We’ve already sat down and studied him and we’re already working on the game plan.
“Every fighter is different, every fight is different and I think one of the things I do very well is crafting them game plans and implementing them on the night.
“That’s what I have to do with Bruno.”
The 27-year-old from County Derry announced himself to the world stage in his last fight against Nurmagomedov, who is the cousin of the iconic UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov.
He suffered just the second defeat of his pro career in January, subsequently losing the chance to claim lightweight gold.
Hughes put on the performance of a lifetime on that night in Dubai, but didn’t do enough in the eyes of the judges, with two judges scoring it 48-46 in favour of Nurmagomedov and one scoring it a draw.
Although the immediate rematch hasn’t come to fruition just yet, the Irishman admitted that his ultimate goal to finish the year with.
“I am obviously going to push as hard as I can to get that rematch as soon as possible,” ‘Big News said.
“I would like it to be at the end of the year, but we’re just going to have to go and get a convincing victory here in eight weeks and we’ll see what happens.
“Look, that’s what I’m gunning for. So whatever I need to do to put myself in that position, I’m willing to fight anybody.
“I’ll fight every month if I can because I’m getting paid for it now, so what better incentive to fight.”
Hughes’ fight with Nurmagomedov was promoted as ‘Dagestan vs Ireland 2’ following Khabib’s famous fight with Conor McGregor in 2018.
After the bout, Khabib showed huge respect to Hughes and invited him to train in Dagestan after controversy between the Irishman and McGregor.
Hughes told talkSPORT in February that McGregor was a shadow of his former self after the latter sparked outrage with an X-rated rant at the Derry MMA star, taking a swipe a Hughes’ Northern Irish nationality.
“I wasn’t disappointed and didn’t take it very personally at all,” Hughes said.
“The Conor that said that is just not the Conor we once knew. So I do take it with a pinch of salt and that’s my honest thoughts on it.”
Hughes has since accepted Khabib’s invitation to his hometown on one condition.
Only if he gets the rematch with his cousin, which will more than likely be booked if Hughes gets past Miranda on May 10 at PFL Belfast.
