The Professional Fighters League needed a banger at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Saturday, and Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes answered the call.
Bellator lightweight champion Nurmagomedov successfully defended his title and remained undefeated, but it wasn’t easy. He escaped with a majority decision victory (47-47, 48-46×2) over the promising and dangerous Irishman Hughes.
If you watched the fight, you might be able to make the argument that Hughes’ strikes had more impact and that he had more memorable moments in the fight. There was even a point deduction for a pair of low blows from Nurmagomedov in the second round.
Still, Hughes only managed a draw, and he lost by two points on the other two scorecards. Nurmagomedov even admitted in the post-fight interview that he underestimated Hughes.
Ultimately, it was the takedowns—four in total—that pushed the judges to lean in Nurmagomedov’s favor.
Barstool’s Jack Mac shared a video asking if fans thought Hughes was “robbed.”
Former UFC interim champion Dustin Poirier didn’t go as far as to say Hughes was robbed, but he did give the challenger his stamp of approval.
Bellator light heavyweight champion Corey Anderson recognized the brilliance of the fight and the importance it could play in the PFL’s future.
Belal Muhammad, a training partner of Usman Nurmagomedov, predictably favored his friend but acknowledged both fighters’ efforts in the scrap.
Jake Paul took the opportunity to take a swipe at Conor McGregor in his acknowledgment of Hughes’ moral victory.
Paul is right about one thing: Hughes does feel like the winner here on some levels, and thereby the PFL. Hughes is a homegrown PFL talent; one they were able to win the recruiting war for despite the fact that he was fighting for Cage Warriors, an independent promotion distributed by UFC Fight Pass.
Most of the post-fight talk has been about Hughes and whether he deserved to win the fight. Respect is pouring in from everywhere, and quite honestly, Nurmagomedov spoke like a man who feels fortunate to be leaving Dubai with his championship.
The rematch needs to happen, and if the PFL is wise, they will make sure it happens in Dublin. Khabib Nurmagomedov is a brilliant and transcendent leader. As the leader of his group, he recognizes this is likely to happen, and he took the mic at the end of the show to pay his respects to Ireland.
It was a beautiful touch. Here is a look at all of the results.
- (c) Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via majority decision (47-47, 48-46×2) – for Bellator lightweight title
- Vadim Nemkov def. Tim Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:08
- Akhmed Magomedov def. Nathan Kelly via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:20
- Ibragim Ibragimov def. Kenny Mokhonoana via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
- Renat Khavalov def. Cleiver Fernandes via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2)
- Ahmed Samy def. Tarek Suleiman via TKO (referee stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
- Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Mike Thompson via technical submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 2:50
- Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def. Ruel Panales via unanimous decision (30-27×2 29-28)
- John Mitchell def. Souhil Tairi via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
- Haider Khan def. Mostafa Nada via TKO (injury) – Round 1, 3:18
