Paul Hughes would want 'severe drug testing' for Usman Nurmagomedov title fight

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Paul Hughes took a shot at Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.

Hughes (12-1) faces A.J. McKee (22-1) in a pivotal lightweight clash on Saturday’s PFL: Battle of the Giants main card (DAZN, ESPN+) at The Mayadeen. Part of the appeal to sign with PFL for Hughes was the $1 million tournament, but challenging Nurmagomedov would entice him more than entering the lightweight season at the moment.

“The title is more appealing to me,” Hughes told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “It’s a bigger fight. It’s a huge fight. It could be an absolutely massive fight for Bellator-PFL if they promote it right, which I’m sure they would. It’s Ireland vs. Dagestan, No. 2. It’s a Nurmagomedov vs. myself. That sells itself in my opinion. So, we’ll see. Whenever I get A.J. out of there on Saturday, I think it puts me in a spot of good leverage.”

If the stars align and they do end up fighting, Hughes hopes Nurmagomedov is frequently drug tested. He’s referring to Nurmagomedov’s failed drug test in October in which his title-defense win over Brent Primus at Bellator 300 was overturned to a no contest by the California State Athletic Commission.

After providing “evidence that the prohibited substance was prescribed to him by a physician and maintains that the prohibited substance was prescribed for therapeutic use,” Nurmagomedov wasn’t stripped of his title but was handed a six-month suspension and a $50,000 fine. He then defend his title in September by defeating Alexandr Shabliy.

“I haven’t looked too much into it,” Hughes said on Nurmagomedov’s failed drug test. “I would like to know what he actually popped for. I think it was some sort of medication is what they say. I’m not too sure, but I’d be making sure if I’m fighting him there would be severe drug testing for sure.”

Despite his comments, Hughes sees Nurmagomedov as an elite lightweight across all promotions.

“He’s certainly up there,” Hughes said. “His last performance, albeit he was fighting a very good fighter in Shabliy, who I do rate, it wasn’t the best performance of all time. It wasn’t that exciting, so I guess that would decrease how I see him. He probably is top 10 to be completely honest.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.