Paul Hughes aims to celebrate becoming new Bellator World lightweight champion by sinking a few pints of Guinness. And if he beats champion Usman Nurmagomedov in Dubai on Saturday night, he will certainly have earned them.

'Big News' Hughes believes he will write his name into the headlines when he takes on unbeaten Dagestani Nurmagomedov at the Coca-Cola Arena.

The Derry native - who trains out of the Fight Academy Ireland gym in Belfast - is huge underdog for the clash. He also appears to be written off by his opponent who believes he is on a different level to the Irishman.

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But betting odds and verbal bluster don't interest Hughes, who has holstered a razor focus all fight week.

Hughes said: "I am ready to go. I've had a great training camp. I have had a couple of years of preparing for five-round title fights, so I have been in this situation before. I have plenty of reps in the bank in preparing for a five-rounder.

"You always want to try and push on. I trained aay during Christmas and New Year. I stayed in Florida over Christmas because I was in a good training space.

"I was in a very good mental space, so it was the best option. I have travelled the world to experience different gyms and training methods. It is important that you never become comfortable in this sport.

"Some guys get to a certain level and get comfortable with being the best guy in the gym, and it only gets you to a certain level. To be the best in the world you need to keep learning and pushing."

Boxing star Michael Conlan was a special guest at Hughes' media day at Fight Academy Ireland earlier this month.

The pair have struck up a close friendship which includes plenty of chats about the fight game, training methods and the mental side of combat sports.

"It has been great bouncing ideas off Mick. He has walked this path and been at the top of his game for a long time," Hughes said.

"Very few can walk that path, so we can relate to each other because we are athletes in combat sports. It is one of these things that if it was easy then everyone would be doing it.

"A lot of it is the mental game and how you handle the occasion, especially the closer you get to the fight. It is 100 per cent a mental game."

Hughes' career and reputation hit new heights last year after he signed a lucrative multi-fight deal with the Professional Fighters League.

He debuted with a win against Bobby King, and then produced the performance of his career in beating the vastly experienced AJ McKee in Riyadh.

But if 2024 lifted Hughes to new heights, he insists 2025 will elevate him to "superstardom".

He added: "Last year was great. After the AJ fight everything changed. My life certainly changed, in every single way.

"So it has been a very welcome change. I knew I was destined for this. When I knock Usman out it will take things to a whole new level.

"Some of it was crazy. I don't even know. Everything has moved so fast. But I am glad it is moving fast because I want to get a move on.

"Last year was the year it all changed for me, and 2025 will take me to superstardom. That's how I see it.

"I think when I knock this guy out, that;s it. They will want a rematch and we could sell out the SSE Arena in Belfast for that. So 2025 is the year for superstardom."

Asked how he sees Saturday's showdown with Nurmagomedov playing out, Hughes said: "I see a knockout. I will walk him down and knock him out.

"As soon as I put that pressure on him, he will do what he knows. When it's fight or flight he will revert back to what he knows.

"But I am the best in the world and I will prove it on Saturday.

"Top win this title, it would win a lot. I have already won a world title so I am a world champion. I see this as my second world title in my second weight class.

"To be honest, what I am thinking about is that it is more about beating Usman than winning the belt. That means more.

"They said I was an underdog last time and look what happened. I was a massive underdog last time, but those who knew, knew. It is the same this time.

"I didn't show 100 per cent against AJ. I haven't even shown close to what I am capable of. I thoink this is the night people will see every layer of my game.

"In a way, beating him over five rounds will be just as nice as knocking him out.

"I will potentially have to go to hell to win this, but I am comfortable going there."

And for Hughes, there will only be one way to celebrate a win - with some much-needed pints of Guinness.

"I will need to find the right bar. I need to make up for missing out on those Christmas pints," he joked.

"It wasn't easy missing my festive pints of Guinness with my friends, but it will all be worth it on Saturday night.

"On January 26 the whole team will make up for it."

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