MMA interviewer Nina-Marie Daniele has expressed a desire after witnessing Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes.
In a five-round war in the main event at PFL Dubai, the two combatants got inside the smart cage for an incredible fight. Nurmagomedov retained his Bellator lightweight title and stayed undefeated, beating Hughes with a majority decision.
Despite Hughes' loss, several fans and pundits thought the Irish lightweight had done enough and should have won. Post-fight, and with the decision not going in Hughes's favor, he wanted a “rematch in Belfast” and also revealed that he “really thought he won that one.”
Meanwhile, ESPN MMA on Instagram posted a video of the bout and a still of Nurmagomedov with his Bellator gold strap. The post was captioned:
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"WHAT A BATTLE 👏 USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV RETAINS THE BELLATOR LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE 👑 #RoadtoDubai (via @pflmma)"
Check out the post featuring Usman Nurmagomedov below:
The post caught the attention of Daniele, who also voted for a “rematch” between the Irishman and the Dagestani. She commented:
"We need a REMATCH! What a war!!!"
![Nina-Marie Daniele's comment [Screenshot courtesy: @espnmma's post on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/2d760-17378948446861-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/2d760-17378948446861-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/2d760-17378948446861-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/2d760-17378948446861-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/2d760-17378948446861-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/2d760-17378948446861-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/2d760-17378948446861-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/2d760-17378948446861-1920.jpg 1920w)
Usman Nurmagomedov does not want an immediate rematch
After defeating Paul Hughes and retaining his Bellator lightweight title on Saturday, Usman Nurmagomedov expressed appreciation for his opponent and admitted that he had underestimated the Irishman.
However, Nurmagomedov does not want an immediate rematch as he revealed in an interview post-fight, stating that Hughes has to win a couple of fights before getting another title shot:
"For the rematch, No! He has to win like couple, two, four fights in Bellator. Because he have only two fights and they give him title shot. But Paul Hughes, all my respect to this guy. I think even if you go to the tournament for 1 million, he have, hundred percent, like a chance to take this belt. Then we can talk rematches."
Check out Usman Nurmagomedov's comments below (1:12):