Nurmagomedov beats Hughes in razor-thin rematch

Usman Nurmagomedov collapsed nan bosom of Irishman Paul Hughes pinch different contentious points triumph to clasp his PFL lightweight world title connected Friday successful Dubai.

Eight months aft Nurmagomedov was cast arsenic a fortunate winner astatine nan aforesaid venue, nan Russian was again a constrictive victor successful nan rematch arsenic Hughes produced a superb capacity complete 5 rounds.

The scorecards did not bespeak a adjacent conflict arsenic nan judges saw it 50-45, 49-46 and 48-47 for Nurmagomedov.

"You want to opportunity this conflict was adjacent too? I consciousness I won each round, but it was a very reliable conflict pinch reliable opponent. I did not underestimate him, I deliberation he underestimated me," Nurmagomedov said.

Hughes, 28, fought expertly astatine adjacent scope and was a clear victor of rounds 2 and three, keeping his cool erstwhile Nurmagomedov headbutted him aft nan doorbell astatine nan extremity of nan first round.

The Irishman was deed pinch respective debased blows successful information 1 and 4 which appeared to slow his advancement and were rounds that Nurmagomedov pocketed.

But Hughes recovered each clip and rocked Nurmagomedov connected respective occasions including pinch a superb footwear and assemblage changeable operation successful nan 3rd and a large correct manus successful nan closing stages.

With Hughes mixing his striking, landing knees and short right-handed punches, UFC fable Khabib Nurmagomedov, nan relative of Usman, could beryllium heard screaming astatine apical measurement for Usman to respond.

Khabib's appeals appeared to autumn connected deaf ears arsenic Usman elected to showboat during spells of nan fight.

Throughout nan bout, however, Nurmagomedov trim down Hughes' occurrence connected nan feet by shooting for takedowns, landing 3 wide including successful nan last seconds of nan past round.

The takedowns were important moments of occurrence for Nurmagomedov, contempt being incapable to carve retired immoderate meaningful submission attempts isolated from for successful nan first information erstwhile Hughes did superbly good to conflict disconnected a rear-naked choke attempt.

Hughes was capable to gaffe distant from each infinitesimal of threat connected nan crushed and aft escaping nan last grappling contest, he said to a retreating Nurmagomedov: "Why are you running?"

Nurmagomedov, 27, celebrated astatine nan last bell, convinced of triumph while Hughes trim a fig unsure if he had done capable to dethrone nan champion.

Despite nan lopsided scorecards, Hughes applauded his rival arsenic nan Russian was confirmed nan winner.

"They told maine I wasn't getting a post-fight interview, but I had to get 1 to convey my fans for travelling here," Hughes said.

"I will beryllium back, I committedness I will beryllium back."

Hughes now faces a rebuilding job, but firmly established himself arsenic world people by going toe-to-toe pinch Nurmagomedov successful 2 superb fights.

Nurmagomedov has agelong been regarded arsenic 1 of MMA's premier talents, is now unbeaten successful 21 fights but his 2 bouts pinch Hughes person proved he is acold from untouchable.

Speaking aft nan contest, Khabib Nurmagomedov hailed nan Derry native.

"First of each I want to opportunity convey you Paul, because of this feline we person pushed Usman truthful difficult nan past 8 moments," he said.

"You tin spot nan improvements he made."

Talks of a trilogy will now slice distant pinch Hughes beaten doubly and Nurmagomedov could good beryllium group for a move to nan UFC successful 2026.

The lightweight has conscionable 1 conflict near connected his existent woody pinch nan PFL and a compelling storyline awaits him successful nan UFC's 155lb section aft team-mate and erstwhile UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev moved up to welterweight.

Nurmagomedov will beryllium eager to adjacent nan section of his bruising rivalry pinch Hughes and seemed to corroborate Briton Alfie Davis would beryllium adjacent successful line.

Davis, 33, won nan PFL's 2025 lightweight world tournament this summer.

The Londoner was a immense underdog going into nan tournament, but defeated Gadzhi Rabadanov connected points to declare nan title and £369,000 successful prize money.

With uncertainty astir who Nurmagomedov's adjacent contender would be, nan Russian appeared to prime Davis.

"Who is nan handsome feline from England, Alfie Davis?," he said.

"Anytime, anywhere, I americium waiting for you."

As for Hughes, he is signed to a semipermanent woody pinch nan PFL and has a big of options.

He could conflict American Archie Coglhan, who would person been hopeful his triumph complete New Zealander Jay Jay Wilson connected nan undercard made him nan number 1 lightweight contender earlier Nurmagomedov called retired Davis.