Usman Nurmagomedov Retains Lightweight Title After Grueling Fight Against Paul Hughes

The PFL Champion Series bout in Dubai ends with a majority decision win for Nurmagomedov, sparking calls for a rematch after a contentious scoring outcome.

Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Paul Hughes via majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46) to retain the Bellator lightweight title, extending his undefeated record to 19-0.
The fight, hailed as a Fight of the Year contender, showcased Hughes' resilience and ability to neutralize Nurmagomedov's wrestling, earning widespread respect despite the loss.
Hughes criticized the judges' scoring and called for an immediate rematch, while Nurmagomedov stated Hughes would need more wins to earn another title shot.
Khabib Nurmagomedov extended an invitation to Hughes and his team to visit Dagestan, which Hughes accepted on the condition of a rematch with Usman.
The fight has reignited the Ireland-Dagestan rivalry narrative, with many in the MMA community advocating for a rematch, potentially in Ireland.