Umar Nurmagomedov’s defeat was a setback for Team Khabib, disrupting the seamless path they had been following toward fulfilling ‘Father’s plan’. It was a blow, and they needed someone to pick up the pieces quickly and restore their momentum. Fortunately, Islam Makhachev stepped up at UFC 311, securing a dominant win over Renato Moicano. Then, Usman Nurmagomedov took center stage, delivering a pivotal victory in the “Dagestan vs. Ireland” rivalry by defeating Paul Hughes, making it a 2-0 scoreline for Dagestan.
The Bellator lightweight champion’s bout with the Irishman was no walk in the park. It went the full distance, and even though Usman was not operating at 100%—as noted by coach Javier Mendez—he showed the heart and resolve that’s become synonymous with the Nurmagomedov name. But what were these complications? Let’s find out!
Javier Mendez weighs in on Usman Nurmagomedov’s health before title defense
The AKA and Team Khabib head coach shared insights into Usman Nurmagomedov’s tough battle with Paul Hughes during the PFL Champions Series in Dubai. The 19-0 juggernaut, displayed remarkable skill and composure, even when faced with a challenging opponent. Despite the intense fight, Usman wasn’t performing at his peak due to some personal setbacks.
Javier Mendez shed light on the situation, explaining: “Well, this is the thing Khabib and I didn’t train with Usman at all we hadn’t been with him for eight weeks because we were with Islam. So all we can see is what he sent us and uh you know I didn’t know. Usman had a lot of complications you know, and his back was messed up he was sick so a lot a lot of things going on.”
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – SEPTEMBER 10, 2020: Russian MMA fighters, UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov L and Usman Nurmagomedov at Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov Memory Tournament Fight Nights Global/GFC at Irina Viner-Usmanova Rhythmic gymnastics, Rhythmische Sportgymnastik, RSG Center. Sergei Savostyanov/TASS PUBLICATIONxINxGERxAUTxONLY TS0E682C
Despite dealing with back pain and not being in peak condition, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s cousin showed remarkable resilience. Mendez also shared that both he and ‘The Eagle’ had warned Usman about the danger of Hughes, especially considering the Irishman was fired up after his win over AJ McKee and eager to redeem Ireland’s pride.
“Paul Hughes doesn’t have a good ground game. He’s okay,” Mendez told DAZN News. “But where he is not average is his attitude. His attitude is a champion’s attitude.” This statement shows that Mendez wasn’t taking Hughes lightly, acknowledging the Irishman’s fighting spirit. Fortunately, the Bellator 155lbs champ took the advice to heart, fought through the adversity, and secured a victory, adding another win to the Dagestan vs Ireland rivalry.
Khabib Nurmagomedov heaps praise on his cousin
The former UFC lightweight champion and Hall of Famer was overjoyed after Usman’s victory, sharing a heartfelt Instagram post featuring Usman, Umar, and his late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. He captioned it: “Congratulations, Brother @usman_nurmagomedov, on another successful title defense! You have done a great job in the big arena over the past couple of years, and of course, a great job at the hall in your life.”
Khabib went on to express his belief in Usman’s continued growth, stating, “You continue to learn and get stronger with each fight. Keep working harder. The further you go, the harder your opponents will be!” This victory marked a strong comeback for Team Khabib after the setback of Umar’s loss to Merab Dvalishvili. However, Usman’s fight against Paul Hughes was far from easy.
Hughes, a clear underdog, applied relentless pressure and came very close to defeating Usman. At one point, Usman was in utter discomfort after a headbutt and the fight was temporarily halted. Despite the back-and-forth nature of the bout, the judges scored it in Usman’s favor (47-47, 48-46, 48-46), a result that many felt was tight.
Hughes, though disappointed, voiced his belief that he deserved the win. Nevertheless, Team Khabib emerged victorious, adding another chapter to their legacy. The fight was an intense one, but it showcased Usman’s resilience and potential. Do you think Khabib’s legacy is back on track? Let us know your thoughts on the fight!
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