‘Paul Hughes had his opportunity’: Archie Colgan fully confident he’s fighting Usman Nurmagomedov next

Archie Colgan was anxious to get again to work when he obtained phrase that he was not solely reserving his subsequent combat however he was competing in a No. 1 contender’s match with the winner incomes a shot at light-weight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.

That was music to his ears however not a lot for Paul Hughes, who has been gunning for a rematch in opposition to Nurmagomedov ever since he misplaced a razor-close majority resolution to him again in January. When the PFL initially introduced Colgan’s combat with Mansour Barnaoui with these stakes, Hughes responded on social media saying “hey, stop with the fashion bait.”

Whereas Hughes could very effectively find yourself getting one other title shot sooner or later, Colgan says his combat was at all times offered as a No. 1 contender’s match and now he’s earned that chance after a dominant win over Barnaoui.

“I had identified that main into it,” Colgan instructed MMA Combating. “[My manager] Ali [Abdelaziz] had instructed me that my subsequent combat was going to be a No. 1 contender combat.

“I do [expect to fight Usman next]. If I didn’t it could have made no sense [labeling] it as a No. 1 contender’s combat. They need to have simply referred to as it a showcase combat then. It will have made no sense for them to go the additional mile and say ‘the No. 1 contender’s combat’ and the winner shall be combating Usman Nurmagomedov. They will’t get anymore minimize and dry than that. In order of proper now, I’m anticipating to be the following man who fights Usman.”

Colgan understands why Hughes is perhaps upset with the way in which issues performed out, particularly after he scored a blistering fast end in his most up-to-date combat to place him again on monitor following the loss to Nurmagomedov earlier within the yr.

That mentioned, Colgan believes he’s earned this chance whereas amassing a formidable 12-0 file alongside the way in which as he made a gentle climb up the light-weight ranks.

“No shade in opposition to Paul Hughes,” Colgan mentioned. “I feel he’s an amazing fighter. I feel Paul Hughes had his alternative and he placed on an amazing combat. An excellent combat and he got here up slightly bit quick. That was his alternative on the time. I feel that I’m due that subsequent alternative. I don’t plan on arising quick.”

As shut as Hughes got here to successful, he finally misplaced a detailed resolution on the scorecards.

Throughout that combat, Hughes confirmed unbelievable takedown protection and grappling capability to thwart a few of Nurmagomedov’s greatest weapons, particularly when it got here to his wrestling. Colgan respects that Hughes was capable of give Nurmagomedov some complications in that a part of the sport however he guarantees it’s a very completely different matchup with him concerned.

Earlier than he was a prime light-weight prospect, Colgan was a standout wrestler on the College of Wyoming so he is aware of he presents issues for Nurmagomedov that Hughes simply couldn’t produce.

“That’s the argument. That’s my argument no less than,” Colgan defined. “Not solely when [Usman] goes to take me down, it is going to be laborious for him and he’ll know going into it that this man has wrestling base so the grappling exchanges are going to be more durable. But additionally what occurs when he will get taken down? He’s by no means actually had to take a look at fights from that perspective.

“What occurs when this man takes me down? What occurs when I’ve to construct again up and rise up and combat fingers to face again up? That’s not only a chance nevertheless it’s going to occur. I’ll get takedowns. I’ll rating takedowns. I agree that he’ll in all probability take me down, he’s a really excessive stage fighter. I’m conscious of that. I get taken down and I’m ready for that. No shade in opposition to Paul however I pose an offensive menace [with my wrestling], not only a defensive menace of stopping your takedowns however I’ll take you down.”

As of now, Colgan says PFL hasn’t made an overtures so far as scheduling goes however he’s anticipating the combat in opposition to Nurmagomedov to occur someday round October or November.

Assuming the combat goes his method, Colgan welcomes any challenges the PFL throws his method after which perhaps Hughes can get one other alternative to combat for the time however for now he must get in line.

“After all [I would fight Paul Hughes],” Colgan mentioned. “At that time, the pictures are referred to as then. You’re champ, you personal the belt, you develop into the hunted. Whoever they see match to be the individual. Similar to I’m lined up right here. There shall be an inventory.

“I’m positive Usman would desire a rematch. I’m positive Paul Hughes would need his crack. Then there’s clearly the event, in all probability in my view is Gadzhi [Rabadanov] would in all probability be the event winner. There’s going to be an inventory of fellows.”