This is the Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes 2 live blog, the lightweight championship main event for Friday’s PFL Dubai Card at Coca-Cola Arena.
Nurmagomedov and Hughes battle it out in a rematch from their Fight of the Year contender in January, which Nurmagonedov won by majority decision. Nurmagomedov is unbeaten in 20 bouts as a pro fighter, including an 8-0 run as a member of the Bellator — and now PFL roster. The 27-year-old holds victories over Patricio Pitbull, Benson Henderson, and Alexander Shabily.
Hughes has won eight of his past nine bouts, including a 42 second second knockout in his most recent bout in the PFL in May. Hughes earned his shot at Nurmagomedov with a win over former Bellator champ A.J. McKee at PFL: Battle of the Giants in October 2024.
Check out the live blog for the PFL lightweight championship rematch between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes below.
According to FanDuel, Usman Nurmagomedov is a sizable favorite to make it 2-0 over Paul Hughes. The unbeaten Nurmagomedov closes as a -300 favorite, with the comeback on Hughes at +245.
Hughes proved he is one of the top lightweights in the world in their first meeting, taking Nurmagomedov into deep waters. To me, that felt like his best chance to get it done. While both fighters are highly skilled, Nurmagomedov has more tools, but can his gas tank stay in a good place down the stretch? While still competitive, I think Nurmagomedov likely has done enough to fix his mistakes and wins a clearer-cut decision.
Paul Hughes had quite the dramatic entrance, which was super cool, and he’s slowly making the walk to the PFL cage.
Usman Nurmagomedov is on his way to the cage, going a lot quicker than his opponent. Both fighters look ready to go.
Both fighters got real close during intros, then touched gloves. Action about to begin. A couple of leg kicks to start for Nurmagomedov. Stance switching early for the unbeaten fighter. Pair of jabs from Nurmagomedov, and another front kick. Hard leg kick, and a stiff jab from Nurmagomedov, who comes up just short with a flying knee. Front kick sends Hughes across the cage.
Jab feint into a low kick from Nurmagomedov, but the low kick was VERY low into the illegal spot. Action stopped. Hughes takes about 45 seconds and is ready to go. Halfway through the round, big exchange, but Hughes got the better of it, and eats a calf kick in return. Another calf kick thrown, caught by Hughes. ANOTHER low shot from Nurmagomedov, but Keith Peterson said he didn’t see it despite the grimace on the face from Hughes. Nice switch kick from Nurmagomedov into a takedown, who has the back. Both hooks in. Hughes up to his feet and he has the choke locked up. Hughes squirrels his way out of it.
Hughes in big trouble with a minute to go. Body triangle locked in, punches coming down. Hughes doing a nice job staying in it, but Nurmagomedov is attacking. Hughes gets out in the final 10 seconds. Hughes lands a combination to end the round. Apparently, a headbutt occurred at the end of the round to Hughes, and the ref missed it. What is happening?
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Nurmagomedov
On replay, Nurmagomedov did lightly headbutt Hughes as the round ended, but during a face-to-face after the bell. Leg kick exchange successful for both. Nice jab from Hughes, and a leg kick. Left hook from Nurmagomedov, then a jab, and another. Good body shot from Hughes, but Nurmagomedov answers with another beautiful jab.
Hughes definitely looking a little bit more comfortable in there, pushing the pace more. Not a lot happening from the 3:15-2:45 mark of the round. Halfway through the round and the grappling begins, but Hughes lands a good shot on separation. High kick from Nurmagomedov grazes the head of Hughes, who is turning on the pressure. Nurmagomedov with a right hand and lands a takedown.
Hughes back to his feet, Nurmagomedov has a hook in against the fence. Final minute of the round. Hughes gets separation. Big exchange that Hughes got the best of. Hughes throws a hammer of a left hand that Nurmagomedov ducks under, but Hughes lands a nice combination. Momentum shifting round here for Hughes who eats a right just before the bell. All tied up.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Hughes, 19-19 overall
Another Visit Dubai commercial takes us through the break — only the 732nd one of the card. We’re off in Round 3. Leg kick from Hughes checked, and now they’re talking to each other. Good left hand from Nurmagomedov. Nice shot from Nurmagomedov, and Hughes charges in with a flurry to the body. Good body work from Nurmagomedov, and then a nice exchange, another land from Nurmagomedov who has picked things back up.
Nurmagomedov shoots, turns to the back for a second, but Hughes defends. Hughes lands a big shot, nasty jab from Nurmagomedov. Super competitive first half of the round. Another nice jab from Nurmagomedov, misses short on a follow up right hook. Good land from Hughes, that Nurmagomedov jab finds a home again.
90 seconds left in the stanza and it’s up for grabs. Hughes lands a nice counter hook to the body, another jab from Nurmagomedov. Final 30 seconds and the crowd is singing. Nurmagomedov gets a takedown but might be too late. The round ends. I have Hughes up a round.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9, 29-28 overall for Hughes
Nurmagomedov is the better technical fighter clearly, but Hughes is the more scrappy fighter, and that’s been the difference in the past 10 minutes. They take the middle to start Round 4, and Nurmagomedov obliterates the midsection of Hughes with a kick. And now another low blow from Nurmagomedov. A point should be taken here. We’ll see if it does.
This is a bad one. Hughes is laid out on the canvas. Peterson calls is “accidental,” so because refereeing is ridiculous, Peterson just issues a warning. So dumb. Hughes is up and back at it.
Takedown from Nurmagomedov, more of a trip, and one hook in, cradle position on the other side as Nurmagomedov has the back. Hughes frees the leg and is back up. Hughes lands a jab, answered by Nurmagomedov, and a hard leg kick behind it. Halfway through another very close round. Nurmagomedov gets another takedown, takes the back, one hook in. As he went for the second hook, Hughes gets him off. Nurmagomedov lands a combination.
Hughes starting to wear the damage, blood on the nose, left eye nearly swollen shut. Final minute of the round, right hand from Usman, and a kick to the body. Head kick from Nurmagomedov, and Hughes is hurting from the body work, and Usman knows it. Final 10 seconds, Hughes chareges in. Nurmagomedov goes to the body again, and there’s the bell. Then a Robbie Lawler-Rory MacDonald moment.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Nurmagomedov, 38-38 overall
Intensity in the corners heading into the final round. Leg kick from Nurmagomedov, then a good right hand. Hughes lands a good shot as well, then a step-in right hand. Good exchange from both fighters, Hughes lands a nice jab, but Hughes doesn’t pounce on it. High crotch, lift, takedown from Hughes, but Hughes bounces back up immediately. Nurmagomedov eats an uppercut, and Hughes is certainly the more aggressive fighter. Body kick from Hughes.
Both land punches, and it’s razor close halfway through. Big right hand from Nurmagomedov. Good jab from Usman, and another, Hughes goes to the body. Swing and a miss from Hughes, jab from Nurmagomedov. Sharp left hand from Nurmagomedov, then a nice counter right and the end of a combination. High kick from Hughes blocked. Hughes comes forward, and his head crashes into Nurmagomedov’s eye, and it’s opened up a cut above the right eye. Action stopped.
Doctor clears him to continue. Final minute of the fight. Two jabs from Nurmagomedov, Hughes charges with a flurry, but nothing doing. Flying knee into a takedown from Nurmagomedov and he has the back with under 30 seconds. Hughes gets a switch and they hammer it out to close it. I think Nurmagomedov edged it out.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9, and the fight 48-47 overall for Nurmagomedov
Official Result: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
Scoring that fight 50-45 for Usman Nurmagomedov is one of the worst scorecards I’ve seen in a really long time. I don’t hate the 49-46, but don’t love it either. Super close fight. Hughes proved he belongs for sure, but Nurmagomedov is just slightly better.
Nurmagomedov says he believes Hughes underestimated him. Hughes taking the loss in stride thus far. Nurmagomedov calls for recent lightweight tournament winner Alfie Davis next. Hughes puts Nurmagomedov over and says he’ll be back.
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