Paul Hughes unfazed by Conor McGregor, but using Carl Frampton’s ‘energy’ ahead of PFL Belfast return ...Middle East

Paul Hughes won’t waste any energy sending a message to Conor McGregor at PFL Belfast.

Instead, the 28-year-old told talkSPORT.com that he is focused firmly on conversations with former world champion boxer Carl Frampton, who offered him priceless advice for Saturday night.

Hughes has asserted McGregor ‘won’t be on my mind at all’ ahead of his dream-worthy homecoming this weekend in the main event of the Belfast card.

‘Big News’ is heading into the bout fresh off a narrow decision defeat to Usman Nurmagomedov in January, which headlined the PFL’s inaugural fight card in Dubai.

Hughes lost the opportunity to claim PFL gold for the first time that night, but his stock rose tenfold afterwards – and not just because of his gritty performance or warrior-like mentality against one of the best to ever do it.

He was later on the receiving end of an explicit rant from former UFC champion McGregor, who sparked outrage when he took a swipe at Hughes’ Northern Irish nationality.

Hughes had told legendary MMA fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov – who was in his cousin Usman’s corner that night – ‘I’m not like this other guy,’ when exchanging words with the Russian’s team after the fight. 

That moment followed months of speculation that McGregor would be in Hughes’ corner on the night, in a move MMA fans saw as mirroring an element of his famous 2018 UFC rivalry with Khabib.

Hughes has previously stated McGregor’s vulgarity had to be taken ‘with a pinch of salt,’ as the latter is now a shadow of his former self.

So, it’s not surprising that the situation is at the back of his mind as fight night creeps up.

“With all due respect, he won’t be on my mind at all,” Hughes said, speaking to talkSPORT.com 48 hours before he will fulfill a lifelong dream by headlining a fight at Belfast’s SSE Arena.

“None of my decisions will even have a thought of that. As I said, I’m carving my own path. I am my own man. Whatever I do will be solely my journey.

“As I’ve progressed in my career, as I say, I want to do my own thing. I am carving my own path. 

“Going this whole pathway of choosing the PFL over the UFC, and everything that I’ve been doing, is me forging my own journey. That’s what I’m going to continue to do.”

With all that said, Hughes heads into a career-defining fight on Saturday night – yet despite the high stakes, he could pass as the calmest man in Northern Ireland this week.

A win would all but guarantee him a rematch with Usman – who will no doubt be backing Hughes’ opponent, Bruno Miranda, a Brazilian Muay Thai specialist with nothing to lose.

That rematch would likely happen in September in Dubai, with Hughes likely to be given another shot at PFL’s lightweight title if he clears this next hurdle.

A loss, on the other hand, would be a devastating scenario for Hughes, who would have to come to terms with defeat in his own backyard.

That situation would also likely put him three to four fights away from another crack at gold down the line.

It’s no surprise, then, that the Irish star has welcomed the help of a man who’s thrived under the Belfast lights before.

“It feels like my dreams are coming true, to be completely honest,” Hughes added. 

“Knowing that this is on the horizon on Saturday night – literally, my dream of fighting in the SSE – and then having the opportunity to catch up with Belfast legends such as Carl Frampton…

“Then to develop a personal relationship with them is something very cool… I think it only sunk into me that I was fighting at home whenever we were standing out in front of the SSE together. 

“And I remember him saying to me, ‘There’s nobody alive in my weight class that would have beat me in there,’ and I love that energy.

“In fact, I even said it to him. I was like, ‘I’m taking that energy with me.’ Like, nobody’s beating me in there. I actually said that yesterday at the face-offs with Bruno.”

Frampton, 31, won his first world title under the Belfast lights by defeating Kiko Martinez in September 2014.

‘The Jackal’ was named Ring Magazine’s Fighter of the Year in 2016 – the year he beat two undefeated foes in Scott Quigg (to unify at 122lbs) and Leo Santa Cruz (to win a world title at 126lbs).

Frampton has long spoken about how fighting in his home country – just a stone’s throw from his residence in Tigers Bay, Belfast – gave him an edge, something Hughes is clearly hoping to tap into.

His confidence is striking when speaking to him face-to-face and would lead many to believe that the man is carrying a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

He even admits there is ‘no question’ that he has everything to lose come Saturday night, with over 11,000 fans set to cheer him on from outside the SmartCage.

But of course, this is never going to be something that has a negative impact on Hughes.

“When I think pressure, I think diamonds and that’s when I always shine,” he concluded.

“On the nights of my career that have been the biggest pressure of all, it’s always when I’ve performed the best. 

“I think that just shows where I’m at as a competitor. I embrace it all. I love it all. All of my fights are high-pressure now – so bring it on.”

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