Paul Hughes reveals training regime and 'high calories' ahead of Saudi showdown
Paul Hughes has left no stone unturned as he prepares for his latest acid test. The Derry fighter takes on AJ McKee in Saudi Arabia on the undercard of Francis Ngannou's MMA return.
Hughes has been training at his Fight Academy Ireland base in West Belfast for the past three months, under the watchful eye and guidance of head coach Liam Shannon.
It has become a home from home for Hughes as sets his sights on another big win against seasoned campaigner McKee.
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He told Belfast Live: "I am doing my whole camp here in Belfast. I think it's important for me to stay here and do my whole camp here, before I go onto the biggest stage of all.
"My team here know me. I have worked so hard here for so many years that my team and teammates know me inside out. I get everything I need here, and my camp has been unbelievable.
"It is nice to put Belfast on the map, and I intend doing that with this victory."
Hughes added: "I do see myself knocking AJ out. I mean that with all due respect.
"I truly believe that will happen. AJ on paper is a lot more experienced than me and I am an underdog. But this is my time to prove myself on the world stage.
"I have worked my whole life to get to this stage and I aim to deliver. Yes, there is added pressure on a big stage and getting in there with someone who can knock you out so easily if you're not on your game.
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"But pressure creates diamonds. Any big nights I've had in my career I have shone brightly and I will again."
Hughes offered an insight into his training regime for Saturday night's fight at The Mayadeen in Riyadh.
He admits the step up to lightweight affords him more space to consume calories, making his weight cut more manageable.
He said: "You'd like to have 10 weeks for a big fight like this. And that's 10 weeks dialled in. Of course you're training all the time anyway, but this is 10 weeks' specific training for a competitor like AJ.
"That's the average amount of time. And that's three to five hours a day, six days a week. Completely dialled in and everything on the money, diet on the money as well.
"I can work off a lot of calories during camp, especially since moving up to lightweight. Featherweight was a different story, but being up a weight class is a lot easier.
"I can eat a fair amount of calories and still drop weight."
He added: "On my days off it is total recovery. Anything I can do - sauna, ice bath, oxygen chamber, cryotherapy. All the good stuff.
"To relax the mind I just hang out with friends and family. Go for walks and keep my mind off MMA which can be hard.
"I spar on Sunday, and Saturday is usually my day off, so it is hard to switch off when you have sparring the next day. But this is my life, I can take a week or two off after the fight."
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