Paul Hughes didn’t get the result he wanted in his rematch against Usman Nurmagomedov, but he’s not claiming robbery after another back-and-forth battle.
In their first encounter, Hughes ultimately dropped a majority decision but stood by his opinion that he deserved to get the nod that night. The rematch played out in eerily similar fashion, including some ill-timed fouls during the fight, but Hughes isn’t placing the blame on anyone but himself for coming up short that night.
“Lay it all on the line and unfortunately it didn’t go in my favor once again,” Hughes said. “It was a close fight, but I did not do enough. I did not fight in the way needed too to win (convincingly).
“To beat one of the best fighters in the world in home territory you must operate at 110 percent. I didn’t do that and it is my responsibility.”
Hughes definitely had his moments during the fight, but the judges all scored the fight for Nurmagomedov. There were definitely more than a few curious looks at judge Bryan Miner’s card after he had it as a 50-45 shutout for Nurmagomedov but the result was still the same.
The loss dropped Hughes to 3-2 in the PFL with both of those losses obviously coming to Nurmagomedov, who now reigns as the promotion’s lightweight champion.
While certainly not impossible, Hughes now has to put together the kind of win streak that makes him undeniable for a potential third fight against Nurmagomedov but really the title remains his primary focus.
Hughes promises that he’s going to climb that mountain again but for now he just needs some time to recover and refocus as he plans for the future.
“Still 28 years old with the world at my feet,” Hughes said. “This chapter is over now, but the next one is going to be even more special. Trust me on that. Any adversity in my life has only propelled me to new heights. What I have achieved in the last 18 months since my last fight on Cage Warriors has been nothing short of special. 6 fights in 18 months has been a blessing, but it has also taken its toll.
“Right now I need to take some forced time to let my body heal. When I come back healthy, it is my MISSION, to make sure that no lightweight on the planet comes CLOSE to beating me ever again. I will be the UNDISPUTED number one 155er in the world within the next two years. Mark this. A new mission begins.”
Hughes was a major addition to the PFL roster after he signed with the promotion over a rival offer made to him from the UFC.
The latest fight didn’t go his way but the Irish lightweight definitely remains a viable piece of the puzzle as PFL prepares for 2026 and beyond.
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