Paul Hughes accepts Khabib Nurmagomedov's invitation to Dagestan but "only" if one condition is met
Paul Hughes has responded to Khabib Nurmagomedov's invitation for him, his family and team to visit Dagestan in Russia. The Irishman was gracious in his response, expressing a willingness to travel to Dagestan and even highlighting how great an honor the invitation was.
However, he added that he wouldn't go there unless one very specific condition was met. Hughes will only visit Dagestan if he is, at some point, granted a rematch with reigning Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, whom he faced at PFL Champions Series 1 yesterday.
"Thank you @TeamKhabib I have great respect for you, your team and your nation.. I would be honoured to take you up on this offer someday and then return the favour in Ireland. But please, only after I get to rematch Usman."
Hughes even extended a similar invitation to Khabib, calling on him to visit Ireland. The mutual goodwill expressed by the UFC Hall of Famer and Hughes could possibly end the feud between Dagestan and Ireland, which recently caught fire in the MMA world.
In fact, Hughes had ramped up the feud ahead of PFL Champions Series 1 by inviting fellow Irishman Conor McGregor, with whom 'The Eagle' has a bitter rivalry, to corner him in his bout with Usman. Unfortunately for Hughes, the former UFC double champion never turned up to the bout.
In an even more unfortunate turn of events for Hughes, he was declared the loser of his Bellator lightweight title fight with Usman. Hughes mounted an exceptional effort and Usman was even docked a point for repeated low blows, but that wasn't enough.
Paul Hughes has reacted to Usman Nurmagomedov's reluctance for a rematch
After what was easily the most difficult fight of his career, so much so that many feel Paul Hughes did enough to earn the judges' decision, Usman Nurmagomedov spoke about the matchup backstage. Despite the Irishman's performance, Nurmagomedov claimed that he would have to do much more to earn a rematch.
Naturally, Hughes caught wind of this and was more than amused.
"Hahah."
Hughes has become a dark horse in the Bellator lightweight division. He defeated former Bellator featherweight champion and grappler extraordinaire A.J. Mckee before pushing Nurmagomedov to the absolute limit.