That is the Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes 2 stay weblog, the light-weight championship primary occasion for Friday’s PFL Dubai Card at Coca-Cola Area.
Nurmagomedov and Hughes battle it out in a rematch from their Combat of the Yr contender in January, which Nurmagonedov received by majority choice. Nurmagomedov is unbeaten in 20 bouts as a professional fighter, together with 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 received eight of his previous 9 bouts, together with a 42 second second knockout in his most up-to-date bout within the PFL in Could. 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.
Try the stay weblog for the PFL light-weight championship rematch between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes beneath.
In response to FanDuel, Usman Nurmagomedov is a large favourite to make it 2-0 over Paul Hughes. The unbeaten Nurmagomedov closes as a -300 favourite, with the comeback on Hughes at +245.
Hughes proved he is without doubt one of the prime lightweights on this planet of their first assembly, taking Nurmagomedov into deep waters. To me, that felt like his finest probability to get it completed. Whereas each fighters are extremely expert, Nurmagomedov has extra instruments, however can his fuel tank keep in a superb place down the stretch? Whereas nonetheless aggressive, I feel Nurmagomedov seemingly has completed sufficient to repair his errors and wins a clearer-cut choice.
Paul Hughes had fairly the dramatic entrance, which was tremendous cool, and he’s slowly making the stroll to the PFL cage.
Usman Nurmagomedov is on his strategy to the cage, going lots faster than his opponent. Each fighters look able to go.
Each fighters acquired actual shut throughout intros, then touched gloves. Motion about to start. A few leg kicks to begin for Nurmagomedov. Stance switching early for the unbeaten fighter. Pair of jabs from Nurmagomedov, and one other entrance kick. Laborious leg kick, and a stiff jab from Nurmagomedov, who comes up simply quick with a flying knee. Entrance kick sends Hughes throughout the cage.
Jab feint right into a low kick from Nurmagomedov, however the low kick was VERY low into the unlawful spot. Motion stopped. Hughes takes about 45 seconds and is able to go. Midway by the spherical, massive change, however Hughes acquired the higher of it, and eats a calf kick in return. One other calf kick thrown, caught by Hughes. ANOTHER low shot from Nurmagomedov, however Keith Peterson stated he didn’t see it regardless of the grimace on the face from Hughes. Good change kick from Nurmagomedov right into a takedown, who has the again. Each hooks in. Hughes as much as his toes and he has the choke locked up. Hughes squirrels his means out of it.
Hughes in massive hassle with a minute to go. Physique triangle locked in, punches coming down. Hughes doing a pleasant job staying in it, however Nurmagomedov is attacking. Hughes will get out within the ultimate 10 seconds. Hughes lands a mix to finish the spherical. Apparently, a headbutt occurred on the finish of the spherical to Hughes, and the ref missed it. What is going on?
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Nurmagomedov
On replay, Nurmagomedov did flippantly headbutt Hughes because the spherical ended, however throughout a face-to-face after the bell. Leg kick change profitable for each. Good jab from Hughes, and a leg kick. Left hook from Nurmagomedov, then a jab, and one other. Good physique shot from Hughes, however Nurmagomedov solutions with one other lovely jab.
Hughes positively trying a bit of bit extra snug in there, pushing the tempo extra. Not lots occurring from the three:15-2:45 mark of the spherical. Midway by the spherical and the grappling begins, however Hughes lands a superb shot on separation. Excessive kick from Nurmagomedov grazes the top of Hughes, who is popping on the stress. Nurmagomedov with a proper hand and lands a takedown.
Hughes again to his toes, Nurmagomedov has a hook in in opposition to the fence. Remaining minute of the spherical. Hughes will get separation. Large change that Hughes acquired the most effective of. Hughes throws a hammer of a left hand that Nurmagomedov geese below, however Hughes lands a pleasant mixture. Momentum shifting spherical right here for Hughes who eats a proper simply earlier than the bell. All tied up.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Hughes, 19-19 general
One other Go to Dubai industrial takes us by the break — solely the 732nd one of many card. We’re off in Spherical 3. Leg kick from Hughes checked, and now they’re speaking to one another. Good left hand from Nurmagomedov. Good shot from Nurmagomedov, and Hughes expenses in with a flurry to the physique. Good physique work from Nurmagomedov, after which a pleasant change, one other land from Nurmagomedov who has picked issues again up.
Nurmagomedov shoots, turns to the again for a second, however Hughes defends. Hughes lands a giant shot, nasty jab from Nurmagomedov. Tremendous aggressive first half of the spherical. One other good jab from Nurmagomedov, misses quick on a observe up proper hook. Good land from Hughes, that Nurmagomedov jab finds a house once more.
90 seconds left within the stanza and it’s up for grabs. Hughes lands a pleasant counter hook to the physique, one other jab from Nurmagomedov. Remaining 30 seconds and the group is singing. Nurmagomedov will get a takedown however could be too late. The spherical ends. I’ve Hughes up a spherical.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9, 29-28 general for Hughes
Nurmagomedov is the higher technical fighter clearly, however Hughes is the extra scrappy fighter, and that’s been the distinction prior to now 10 minutes. They take the center to begin Spherical 4, and Nurmagomedov obliterates the midsection of Hughes with a kick. And now one other low blow from Nurmagomedov. Some extent must be taken right here. We’ll see if it does.
It is a dangerous one. Hughes is laid out on the canvas. Peterson calls is “unintended,” so as a result of refereeing is ridiculous, Peterson simply points a warning. So dumb. Hughes is up and again at it.
Takedown from Nurmagomedov, extra of a visit, and one hook in, cradle place on the opposite facet as Nurmagomedov has the again. Hughes frees the leg and is again up. Hughes lands a jab, answered by Nurmagomedov, and a tough leg kick behind it. Midway by one other very shut spherical. Nurmagomedov will get one other takedown, takes the again, one hook in. As he went for the second hook, Hughes will get him off. Nurmagomedov lands a mix.
Hughes beginning to put on the harm, blood on the nostril, left eye practically swollen shut. Remaining minute of the spherical, proper hand from Usman, and a kick to the physique. Head kick from Nurmagomedov, and Hughes is hurting from the physique work, and Usman is aware of it. Remaining 10 seconds, Hughes chareges in. Nurmagomedov goes to the physique once more, and there’s the bell. Then a Robbie Lawler-Rory MacDonald second.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Nurmagomedov, 38-38 general
Depth within the corners heading into the ultimate spherical. Leg kick from Nurmagomedov, then a superb proper hand. Hughes lands a superb shot as effectively, then a step-in proper hand. Good change from each fighters, Hughes lands a pleasant jab, however Hughes doesn’t pounce on it. Excessive crotch, raise, takedown from Hughes, however Hughes bounces again up instantly. Nurmagomedov eats an uppercut, and Hughes is definitely the extra aggressive fighter. Physique kick from Hughes.
Each land punches, and it’s razor shut midway by. Large proper hand from Nurmagomedov. Good jab from Usman, and one other, Hughes goes to the physique. Swing and a miss from Hughes, jab from Nurmagomedov. Sharp left hand from Nurmagomedov, then a pleasant counter proper and the top of a mix. Excessive kick from Hughes blocked. Hughes comes ahead, and his head crashes into Nurmagomedov’s eye, and it’s opened up a minimize above the suitable eye. Motion stopped.
Physician clears him to proceed. Remaining minute of the struggle. Two jabs from Nurmagomedov, Hughes expenses with a flurry, however nothing doing. Flying knee right into a takedown from Nurmagomedov and he has the again with below 30 seconds. Hughes will get a change and so they hammer it out to shut it. I feel Nurmagomedov edged it out.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9, and the struggle 48-47 general for Nurmagomedov
Official Consequence: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes by way of unanimous choice (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
Scoring that struggle 50-45 for Usman Nurmagomedov is without doubt one of the worst scorecards I’ve seen in a very very long time. I don’t hate the 49-46, however don’t like it both. Tremendous shut struggle. Hughes proved he belongs for certain, however Nurmagomedov is simply barely higher.
Nurmagomedov says he believes Hughes underestimated him. Hughes taking the loss in stride to this point. Nurmagomedov requires current light-weight event winner Alfie Davis subsequent. Hughes places Nurmagomedov over and says he’ll be again.
