Usman Nurmagomedov 'really' respects Paul Hughes ahead of PFL lightweight title rematch

As a reminder, he won by majority decision when the fighters met last January, and Nurmagomedov spoke about their rematch at a press conference.

"I'm training so hard," Nurmagomedov said. "This camp - it's definitely like everything is different this time. I have high-level sparring partners. I have my team with me. I can't even imagine how I can lose this fight.

"If I won the first fight with that camp, this time it's going to be all different in my mind, in my shape, physically, conditionally."

This is a new challenge for Nurmagomedov, who was separated from his coaches Javier Mendez and Khabib Nurmagomedov during his last training camp, as both were busy with Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov's fights at UFC 311.

The 27-year-old is ready to roll with it.

"Everything is different," he said. "What we have in the gym is different because the first time I was alone.

"This time I'm with my family and with my team. It means I have great coaches, great corners, and I'm on the right path."

"I’m ready to die inside the cage."

Nurmagomedov appeared particularly motivated, ready to sacrifice everything to return to victory against an opponent in Hughes that he says will bring everything. 

"I know he's preparing his best shape," Nurmagomedov said of Hughes. "This is all his life's work. And same thing for me. I’m ready to die inside the cage. I don't care.

"If I have to be dying in this cage for the victory, I will die. This is my mentality."

October's contest could be the greatest rematch in PFL history, as the first bout was voted the GOAT fight.

Nurmagomedov warned his opponent to expect more from him this time around.

"He has to be ready because I'm coming," he said. "This is not the same Usman who was in January. This is a different Usman. I know he's going to be different, too.

"That's why I think this is one of the best fights this year. It's going to be one of the best fights this year between me and him."

"I know my mistakes."

When asked about the first fight, Nurmagomedov admitted that he made a lot of mistakes, including losing a point in the third round after repeated kicks to the groin.

"I know my mistakes," he said. "I watched this fight maybe 10 times. I see a lot of my mistakes. I see a lot of things that I have to change.

"Of course, we work on them. But more focus not on what he did well, but our focus is to be in our best shape and be better than I was before."

As in his fights against Brent Primus (NC after testing positive for a banned substance) and Alexandr Shabliy, Nurmagomedov went to a decision against Paul Hughes after five rounds. In the rematch, he will not be looking specifically to finish his opponent, but rather to win.

"I'm not looking for the finish," he explained. "When you have a title shot, you should be ready for five rounds. Of course, in a fight, anything can happen. If there are some opportunities, of course, I'll try to finish, but I'm preparing for five rounds.

"I'm doing a very good job and I'm working very hard for this fight and everything's going well."

"This is not pressure."

Meanwhile, Hughes won in front of his home crowd in Belfast during the PFL Europe main event in May. His victory over Bruno Miranda after just 42 seconds did not fail to impress the current lightweight champion.

"His fight with this guy - how he finished in [less than] 45 seconds - but I think this guy is not going to give him anything because... It was like sparring in the training gym," Nurmagomedov said. "This guy gave him two low kicks, maybe something like that.

"He knocked him out and that's it. If he goes with him into deep water, yes, then he can change. He can be a different fighter. Yes, I agree with that. But when you're doing just some good shots and finish the fight, this is good too.

"But this is not the 'I teach you a lot.' My fight with him taught him a lot and taught me a lot. It was a good fight. I agree with that."

Nurmagomedov said he has a lot of respect for Hughes since their last fight in January, something that he admitted was missing before squaring off with the Belfast fighter. 

"I really respect him," he said. "I respect all his skills. He's a good fighter. Now, because of the first time, I underestimated him. That almost was a big mistake.

"But this time, I will respect him and I will go into this fight with respect because I don't want to make the mistake again."

Last January, Nurmagomedov had former UFC lightweight champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev in his corner, alongside Javier Mendez.

While some may view attention from those who have reached the pinnacle of the sport as nerve-wracking, the 27-year-old said having legends in his corner is not enough to put him under pressure.

"This is not pressure," Nurmagomedov said. "Right now, pressure is when you wake up early in the morning and you find your mother or your father dead now, or your child dead now. That is pressure. What is going on right now in Gaza is pressure.

"When we talk about pressure, a fight is not pressure. A fight is a fight. I know 100%, he's not scaring me. I'm not scared of him. We are fighters. For us to go inside the cage and fight, this is not pressure. This is enjoyment. But pressure is about different things."