Paul Hughes says “everyone could get behind” a rematch with Usman Nurmagomedov in Belfast this summer.
The 27-year-old Derry fighter was narrowly beaten by Nurmagomedov in the Bellator lightweight championship contest in Dubai last month.
It was a second career defeat for Hughes while Nurmagomedov extended his unbeaten streak to 19 fights.
“I’m calling for Belfast – I believe we can get it done and I’m putting pressure on the PLF to get it done because that’s what I think will be best for my career,” said Hughes.
“I think there is no better time for me to fight in Belfast than now, imagine a summer show here, it would be an event that everyone could get behind it would be so positive.”
Hughes believes Nurmagomedov will attempt to delay a rematch but he is confident the pair will meet again in the Bellator cage.
“That is what everyone wants to see – Usman of course is going to try and delay that as long as he can which is fair enough, he is the champ, he has the leverage, I don’t.
“It is a fight that is going to happen this year no question whether I fight in between that I have no idea, I have no indication of what is next so we’ll see.”
Nurmagomedov prevailed on a 47-47, 48-46, 48-46 scorecard against Hughes in a tight tussle in Dubai.
“I think the judges’ scorecards were pretty ridiculous, but as I say I’ll watch it back with a clear mind,” said Hughes at the time.
Almost three weeks later and Hughes still believes he should have been awarded victory.
“Absolutely there is no doubt, obviously it was a close fight [but] there’s no question that those last few rounds I was the aggressor doing the damage, especially the last round,” said Hughes.
“How all judges didn’t score me the last round is absolutely ludicrous. The pressure I was putting on, the damage I was doing.
“He was holding on for his life and the only way I can see them highly scoring him is him kneeing me in the leg for 60 seconds and just holding on for dear life – that was it but I was putting the pace on him the rest of the last round.”
Hughes also feels the fight turned on a fourth-round stoppage caused by a clash of heads – Nurmagomedov had to be checked by the doctor after the incident which left Hughes with a cut to the forehead.
“Because of how the fight ended and the momentum shift – I think the momentum got killed the with head clash at the end of the fourth.
“I think that was when I was really taking over but look that is fighting and it just didn’t go my way that night but I will make sure it goes my way next time.”
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