Overview

• The lightweight title rematch tops Friday’s card at Dubai’s Coca‑Cola Arena, streaming at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited in the U.S. and DAZN in select regions.
• FanDuel lists Nurmagomedov around -225 with Hughes at +188, with sportsbooks pricing the fight to go the distance at roughly -190 and a Nurmagomedov decision as the most likely outcome.
• Their January bout ended in a majority decision for Nurmagomedov with scores of 48-46, 48-48 and 47-47, following a point deduction for an accidental headbutt.
• Despite Khabib Nurmagomedov saying Paul Hughes “deserves this rematch,” Usman maintained Hughes had not earned it, noting they hold different views even as he agreed to fight.
• The event also features Corey Anderson vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov for the light heavyweight title and Magomed Magomedov vs. Sergio Pettis, with Archie Colgan meeting Jay‑Jay Wilson on the main card.