Usman Nurmagomedov: I was '50 percent' in Bellator title win over Paul Hughes
Despite coming out on top, Usman Nurmagomedov wants fans to know that his full potential wasn't displayed in his latest title defense.
Nurmagomedov (19-0) defended his Bellator lightweight title, a now defunct promotion under the PFL banner, against Irisman Paul Hughes (13-2) in the main event of PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series last month at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Nurmagomedov won a close and competitive majority decision that read 47-47, 48-46 and 48-46 on the judges' scorecards.
Even though he retained his belt and his unbeaten record, Nurmagomedov says he was only a fraction of himself in that cage.
'I think I can prepare for this fight better,' Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie. 'I know I can be better, more than I was that night. I for sure know I can finish this guy. After this fight, I see a lot of my mistakes. For myself, I know I was 50 percent in that cage. I will be ready for 100 percent, I know I can finish this guy.'
For him, training in Dagestan while the bulk of his team was in San Jose training at AKA was a big issue for his preparation. He also wasn't 100 percent healthy entering the fight.
'For training camp I did it with tough guys, like one or two, but this is not enough,' Nurmagomedov said. 'I was alone, and it's really hard to push yourself when you don't have your coaches. Everyone was focused on Umar (Nurmagomedov), Islam (Makhachev), Tagir (Ulanbekov) in America.
'Of course, they control me, but it's different when you're training at home with your family and your friends. Sometimes you have to spend time a little bit with your family and do some diner with your brothers. This made me a little tired and don't get you recovered for next training session. Also, when I came to Dubai, I was sick two weeks before the fight.'
As far as what's next, many online suggested an immediate rematch between Nurmagomedov and Hughes, given the entertaining and competitive nature of the fight. Some even claimed it as the best fight in PFL history.
However, for Nurmagomedov, the fight wasn't as close as some people thought, and he wants to see Hughes prove his worth before running things back.
'If the people want, why not? If the fans want this fight, why not? Let him fight one time, and I'll fight with him again, but he has to win,' Nurmagomedov explained. 'He has to show me something. You can't lose all fine rounds and say I was close to finishing him. It doesn't work like that.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
14 hours ago
- USA Today
Raoni Barcelos excited for shot to take out ex-champ Cody Garbrandt at UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos excited for shot to take out ex-champ Cody Garbrandt at UFC Atlanta Show Caption Hide Caption UFC Atlanta: Raoni Barcelos media day Raoni Barcelos speaks to reporters at the UFC Atlanta media day. ATLANTA – Raoni Barcelos met the media Wednesday ahead of his fight at UFC on ESPN 69. Barcelos (19-5 MMA, 8-4 UFC) takes on Cody Garbrandt (14-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) in a bantamweight fight on the ESPN main card at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. At media day, Barcelos took questions from media members before his fight. Barcelos said the massive upset he pulled off in January – one of the biggest in UFC history against 12-1 favorite Payton Talbott at UFC 311 – gave him extra confidence to know he's heading in the right direction after a stretch of four losses in five fights. The fight with Garbrandt it one he said he's been asking to have for a while. "I asked for the fight a long time ago – when the hype was all on me," the 38-year-old Barcelos told MMA Junkie. "Cody was on his way to become a champion, and the fight never happened. It's all timing. Right now, I feel so much better (than when I first called him out). I'm much more complete of a fighter. "… The fight's happening at the right time. Cody's going to be a good fight for me, but this is the perfect time for me to fight him." Check out Barcelos' full media day interview in the video above.
Newsweek
17 hours ago
- Newsweek
Francis Ngannou Surprisingly Returns to UFC
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Francis Ngannou has returned to the UFC. More news: Former UFC Star is 'Fighting for Life' As Wife Shoots Down Death Rumors Though the former UFC heavyweight champion left the organization back in 2023, Ngannou has not been seen associating with his former employer at all. Now, he shocked the MMA-loving world when he joined Kamaru Usman during his ceremonial weigh-in. Francis Ngannou x Kamaru Usman at the #UFCAtlanta ceremonial weigh ins 👀🔥 🎥 @ — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 13, 2025 Ngannou took the stage with Usman, who was emblazoned with the green and white makeup representing his home country of Nigeria. There was plenty of excitement regarding the big surprise that Ngannou was there at a UFC event, and he was seen nodding his head to people who were off-camera. Usman is set to take on Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night Atlanta, which takes place on June 14. The showdown between Usman and Buckley will be the main event on a very stacked card. Francis Ngannou looks on during the PFL 2024 Playoffs at The Anthem on August 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. Francis Ngannou looks on during the PFL 2024 Playoffs at The Anthem on August 23, 2024 in Washington, did show up randomly, though reports have indicated that he is not a licensed cornerman for Usman, meaning fans shouldn't expect to see the former heavyweight champion giving advice to Usman in his bout. Read more: Jon Jones Ignores Tom Aspinall, Reveals Francis Ngannou Superfight Plan What makes Ngannou's appearance also very interesting is that there are tons of rumors flying around that he could fight current heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Jones took to X to state that he wants to fight for legacy matches, and mentioned that the current PFL chairman and star is interested in the fight as well. I'm hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested… now we're talking. That's a real super fight. A clash of champions, not just hype. He held the UFC belt, I've defended mine for over a decade. Two kings from different roads. Not just one legend facing a mouth that's hot right… — Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) June 6, 2025 Jones has been dominant throughout his entire career in the UFC. He held the light heavyweight belt for nearly 10 years, and then moved up to heavyweight. While in that division, he beat Ciryl Gane and the arguable heavyweight UFC GOAT, Stipe Miocic. Ngannou and Jones would be a huge fight, and could be the first time that the UFC and PFL come together for a cross-promotional showdown. Even PFL Chairman and Founder Donn Davis proposed a "winner-takes-all" match between Ngannou and Jones on X. Though Ngannou's appearance at a UFC event does not mean that he is there to discuss business with the organization, this is the first time that the former champion has returned. UFC President Dana White was very outspoken about Ngannou's departure and comments on fighter pay, often responding with barbs that seemed very personal. Ngannou coming back to the UFC, even for a weigh-in, is very exciting. Hopefully, whatever issues he and White have or had can be talked about this weekend. For more on the UFC and MMA, head to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
17 hours ago
- USA Today
Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley prediction, pick: Can ex-champ rebound in Atlanta?
Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley prediction, pick: Can ex-champ rebound in Atlanta? Show Caption Hide Caption Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley prediction MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom offers his breakdown and prediction for the UFC on ESPN 69 main event. Dan Tom MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at the UFC on ESPN 69 main event between former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley. Kamaru Usman UFC on ESPN 69 preview Staple info: Record: 20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC 20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC Height: 6'0" Age: 38 Weight: 170 lbs. Reach: 76" 6'0" 38 170 lbs. 76" Last fight: Decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev (Oct. 21, 2023) Decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev (Oct. 21, 2023) Camp: ONX Labs/Kill Cliff FC (Denver) ONX Labs/Kill Cliff FC (Denver) Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/kickboxing Switch-stance/kickboxing Risk management: Good Supplemental info: Former UFC welterweight champion NCAA Division-II national champ 3x NCAA All-American 9 KO victories 1 submission win 3 first-round finishes Consistent pace and pressure Solid feints and footwork Improved overall striking ^ Jabs, bodywork, etc. Strong inside the clinch Excellent takedown ability ^ In the open or against the fence Superb top game and control ^ Rides and transitions intelligently +/- 6-2 against UFC-level southpaws Joaquin Buckley UFC on ESPN 69 preview Staple info: Record: 21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC 21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC Height: 5'10" Age: 31 Weight: 170 lbs. Reach: 76" 5'10" 31 170 lbs. 76" Last fight: Decision win over Colby Covington (Dec. 14, 2024) Decision win over Colby Covington (Dec. 14, 2024) Camp: Finney's HIT Squad (St. Louis/Illinois) Finney's HIT Squad (St. Louis/Illinois) Stance/striking style: Southpaw/kickboxing Southpaw/kickboxing Risk management: Fair Supplemental info: +/- 10-2 at welterweight +/- 7-4 at middleweight 15 KO victories 4 first-round finishes KO power Athletic and explosive mover ^ Blitzes in and out of range Hard hooks and crosses ^ Coming forward or off the counter Underrated/underutilized kicking ability Strong inside the clinch Solid first-layer defense ^ Good sprawls and underhook awareness Servicable transitional grappler ^ Will scramble hard to standing positions Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley point of interest: Striking with a southpaw The main event in Atlanta features a welterweight showdown between Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley. A switch-stance fighter who is competent in both stances, Usman has been steadily crafting his striking game for years under the tutelage of coaches like Henri Hooft and Trevor Wittman. Whether Usman is feinting forward or shifting his stance in combination, the former welterweight champion is at his best when corraling his opposition toward the cage, attacking them with impunity whenever they step near it. The 38-year-old veteran is also smart about shifting away from his opponent's power side when advancing, all while throwing corralling hooks that help him close space. Usman has obviously been focusing a lot more on his jab and lead-hand work in more recent years, showing a sharp acumen from both stances. From offensively flowing off of his jab to using it in a checking or countering manner, Usman is good about keeping his feet underneath him for maximum functionality. Kamaru Usman landing some nice 1-2's when Khamzat Chimaev went southpaw — Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) June 12, 2025 Even when fighting in open-stance affairs, Usman – unlike most fighters in MMA – doesn't abandon his jab and will smartly counter or build off of it. Nevertheless, as efficient as this approach has been for Usman, he will still need to be careful when it comes to predictability and feinting if he wants to avoid any costly counters coming his way. Enter Buckley. A self-made martial artist from St. Louis, Buckley appears to be built for the fight game. Not only can Buckley talk the talk, but the 31-year-old contender can also walk the walk in the way that he's willing to go to war with anyone on the roster. Whether we're looking at Buckley's in-and-out movements or his natural aptitude for high-flying kicks, you'd be forgiven for assuming that "New Mansa" comes from a traditional martial arts background. Add in his healthy mix of slipping and ripping hooks, and Buckley makes for a dangerous package to deal with on the feet. Buckley does have a tendency to load up heavily on linear advances, but the 11-year pro seems to do a better job of trying to step through or off of the centerline, sometimes shifting into an orthodox stance to gain a better angle a la Dustin Poirier. Still, Buckley will need to be careful about his aggression being used against him given the looming takedown threats from Usman. Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley breakdown: Wrestleweight Given the prominent role that it has traditionally played in the upper echelons of welterweight, winning the wrestling will likely be paramount for both parties this Saturday. Usman, who is the superior wrestler on paper, prefers to get a lot of his wrestling done along the fence via corralling and clinching efforts. Once establishing his office in this space, the former champ wastes little time in going to work with everything from foot stomps to crafty over-hooks that interweave into wrist controls (a la Jon Jones). Wrestling at a Division II level for three years (where he was also a two-time national finalist), Usman has always shown the freakish ability to both finish and defend shots from sometimes surprising positions. Coupled with his work ethic and determination, Usman was able to over-perform in a multitude of ways, especially considering that he didn't even start wrestling until mid-way through high school. After helping high-level fighters with their own wrestling, Usman ended up making the jump into mixed martial arts, where he has steadily built onto his imposing wrestling game and presence. Whether he is hitting takedowns in the open or chaining his attempts along the fence, Usman has, for the most part, been able to do what he wants to wrestling-wise inside of the octagon. Freakish takedown ability aside, Usman also bears an impressive intelligence in transition that could help him in his matchup. Demonstrating excellent positional awareness, Usman always seems to make high-percentage choices whether he is passing or punching. Using suffocating wrestling rides that stymie everything from posts to submission attempts, Usman will seamlessly hit his transitions while steaming his opposition underneath him. Although reactionary shots in the open will likely be available due to Buckley's aggression, chaining attacks along the fence might end up being Usman's best bet. That said, getting past Buckley's first layer of defense appears to be increasingly difficult as his career progresses. Possessing strong hips and an athletic sprawl that he keeps on a hair-trigger, Buckley is good about shutting down shots that come his way in the open. When Buckley is pressed against the cage, he applies solid underhook awareness that he utilizes to help hoist opponents off of his hips. However, Buckley can sometimes fail to cover the head, which can allow for directional changes and extended attacks from his opponent. Buckley, to his credit, is an urgent scrambler from negative positions and is good about using the cage to stand. Offensively, Buckley has demonstrated improved takedowns and ground-and-pound to boot – I'm just not sure how much of those skills we'll get to see in this matchup. Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley odds The oddsmakers and the public favor the younger fighter, listing Buckley -280 and Usman +210 via FanDuel. Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley prediction, pick Given MMA gamblers' love for fading older fighters, the betting spread above sadly doesn't surprise me. That said, I don't agree with the odds and warn anyone who is completely discounting Usman in this spot. Aside from the fact that Usman's three-fight skid is not as bad as it appears (especially considering that he has an argument for drawing with Khamzat Chimaev on short notice), the former champion is the more proven product with a positive record opposite southpaw opposition, officially standing at 6-2 when facing UFC-level lefties. 🪡🧵#TheSouthpawReport for #UFC286: (will add to this thread as the week goes on) • Kamaru Usman is 6-1 against UFC-level southpaws (wins: Yakovlev, Edwards, Maia, RDA, Covington X2; loss: Edwards rematch) Edwards built on classic SP attacks en route to finding a late finish: — Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) March 15, 2023 It's also important to note Usman's two southpaw defeats come to the same fighter: Leon Edwards. Aside from the fact that Usman was beating Edwards until getting knocked out in their rematch, Buckley bears a different style than the Birmingham fighter. Though I'd argue that Buckley has some underrated kicks that will be live in this fight, he hasn't shown the same anti-wrestling shot selection in his kicks or punches, much less the ability Edwards had to stymie and strike in the clinch. Don't get me wrong: Buckley has the power and explosive nature to catch any version of Usman – old or not. That said, Buckley's linear aggression can also run him square into the wrong end of exchanges, as I wouldn't be shocked to see Usman's counter-jab sit down the young buck as it did to Gilbert Burns. Akin to Burns, fighters who can jab have traditionally troubled Buckley in victory or defeat. Buckley may have earned stoppages or knockdowns in five of his last six outings, but I also noticed that "New Mansa," whose style has a quiet reliance on wrestling for an outlet, is 4-4 when unable to secure takedowns in UFC fights. Say what you will about Usman's knees, but the man has maintained north of a 90 percent takedown defense ratio when looking at his welterweight career in the octagon. Add in the fact that we still haven't even seen Buckley in the championship rounds, and I can't help but side with the more skilled operator and known quantity in Usman. Although a grinding win for the underdog shouldn't shock anyone, I'll officially pick Usman to remind the masses with a stoppage via strikes in Round 4. Prediction: Usman inside the distance Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley start time, how to watch As the main event, Usman and Buckley are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 12:30 a.m. ET. The fight airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
