PFL superster Paul Hughes used a Tom Aspinall-inspired technique to send a message to his former rival.
Paul Hughes and Usman Nurmagomedov spoiled fight fans with one of the instant classic matchups of the year at PFL Champions Series 1 in January. Months after their fight, tensions remain thick between Hughes and Nurmagomedov in the midst of growing calls for the two light weights to let it go back.
Hughes has not fought anymore since he eliminated Bruno Miranda in just 42 seconds in May in PFL Europe. Although he was not on the map on PFL Europe 2 on Saturday, Hughes took the opportunity to support his colleagues while he was in Brussels.
But while Hughes was finished at PFL Europe 2, he took some time to taunt his greatest rival during the broadcast.
Photo by Francois Nel/Getty images
Paul Hughes sends a message to Usman Nurmagomedov in the midst of re -emerging rematch interviews
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall taunts Jon Jones in UFC London earlier this year and held a plastic duck on the broadcast in a shot on his old enemy. But the attempts of Aspinall to get under the skin of Jones did not produce heavyweight confrontation after Jones retired with MMA last month.
During the PFL Europe 2 broadcast, Hughes Namples the viral moment of Aspinall by ignoring Nurmagomedov with a different toy deck.
🦆👀@paulhughesmma ensure that his old enemy lightweight USman Nurmagomedov gets his message from Cageside in Belgium
📲 Download the PFL app for free and view all #Pflbrussels -Action Live from Belgium pic.twitter.com/WPVZKJZ5DNN
– PFL (@Pflmma) July 5, 2025
At the moment, Nurmagomedov has not publicly responded to Hughes. Nurmagomedov begged Hughes to win at least another fight before he pleaded the case for a rematch.
The PFL recently teased the next fight by Nurmagomedov when they announced that the Archie Colgan vs. Mansour Barnaoui winner on PFL World Tournament 6 would be his next opponent. Colgan won the fight by unanimous decision.
Hughes was not happy with the decision of the PFL to give the nod to Colgan for the next fight by Nurmagomedov. It is uncertain whether Hughes will choose to sit outside while Nurmagomedov is preparing for Colgan, or whether he will take a fight against another budding competition.
Tom Aspinall could finally get Jon Jones -Matchup after former champion teasing comeback
A UFC return time line is not set for the first undisputed heavyweight title defense of Aspinall. Various potential opponents, including Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov, have been thrown around for the next fight by Aspinall.
Only a few weeks after he announced his retirement, Jones revealed that he re -introduced the pool of the UFC drug tests, which gave rise to speculation of a comeback. The Jones coach recently confirmed that the former UFC Champion Heavyweight Champion has re -introduced the Pool while turning out to be a potential return to the Octagon.
While the UFC heavyweight division continues with Jones, Aspinall has its eyes on other potential challenges. But the Aspinall vs. Jones Showdown may not be a fantasy much longer.
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