Usman Nurmagomedov makes statement with strong performance to claim PFL Lightweight World Title

Usman Nurmagomedov entered the world of martial arts through Muay Thai training as a child before transitioning to MMA, training alongside the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Umar Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Gadzhi Rabadanov. After becoming a champion on the amateur scene, Nurmagomedov made his way to Bellator, going 7-0 (1 NC) with wins over Benson Henderson, Alexander Shabliy, and Patricky Pitbull. He defeated Pitbull to begin his time as a World Champion at Bellator 288 in November 2022.

 

Paul Hughes arrived in PFL in 2024 after being the most sought-after free agent in the sport during that time period. Hughes was an amateur featherweight champion before claiming featherweight gold in a prominent European regional MMA promotion. Hughes, who holds a win over a former world champion in A.J. McKee, comes into tonight off a statement-making first-round finish of Bruno Miranda in May.

 

Nurmagomedov won their first encounter in January on a much-debated majority decision – a fight that proved to be one of the most exciting in PFL history. Now, the time for this much-anticipated rematch is here! Who walks out of Dubai with the PFL Lightweight World Title?!?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick from Nurmagomedov. Another low kick from Nurmagomedov. Left hand by Nurmagomedov. Leg kicks from Hughes early on. More leg-focused attacks from the two. Body kick by Nurmagomedov. Body kick by Hughes. Left hand by Nurmagomedov. Low kick by Hughes. Hughes reaches for the body, but Nurmagomedov dodges and lands a counterpunch. Low kick by Nurmagomedov. Strong right hand from Hughes and Nurmagomedov tries for a flying knee in the clinch, losing balance briefly. Nurmagomedov sends Hughes back with a low kick. Right hand by Nurmagomedov. Low kick by Nurmagomedov, and it hits the cup!

 

Fight resumes after a brief break. Hughes attacks the body and head, mixing up his punches. Calf kick by Hughes. He catches a calf kick from Nurmagomedov. Low kick and a right hand from Nurmagomedov. Hughes claims he was hit low, but Keith Petersen says he didn’t see it and you have to fight on. Switch kick by Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov scores a takedown and is on the back. Nurmagomedov lands some punches and gets hooks in on the back. He’s on him backpack style. He sinks in a choke, but Hughes escapes it. Nurmagomedov remains on his back, though, and he’s landing punches. Neck crank attempt by Nurmagomedov. He transitions to a choke. Hughes escapes through the back door! Knee by Hughes, but Nurmagomedov lands a couple of power shots before the bell. Hughes claims he was headbutted at the bell, but the ref says he wasn’t.

 

 

Round 2

 

Hughes with a combination. Left hand by Nurmagomedov. Left jab by Hughes. Right hand by Nurmagomedov. Exchange of low kicks. Combination by Nurmagomedov. Low kick by Hughes. Low kick by Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov lands a right but misses a left. Body shot by Hughes. High kick misses for Hughes. Nurmagomedov is looking to pressure in the center of the SmartCage.

 

Nurmagomedov throwing the jabs, switching stances. Left hand by Hughes. A body lock now, and Nurmagomedov lands to the body before Hughes breaks away and starts to press, getting Nurmagomedov up against the fence for a couple of seconds. Hughes misses a left hand. A left hand by Hughes. Hughes misses a punch, and Nurmagomedov perfectly times his level change, scoring another takedown and taking the back again. One hook is in now. Nurmagomedov pulls back. Nurmagomedov lands a knee before the separation. Hughes lands a left hand. Nurmagomedov with a combination. Hughes is looking to press again. Low kick by Nurmagomedov. Jab by Hughes. Clinch and a hook and knee by Hughes. Hughes blocks a body kick. Front kick by Hughes. Spinning kick to the calf by Nurmagomedov.

 

 

Round 3

 

Low kick by Nurmagomedov. Another low kick to the legs by Nurmagomedov. Jabs by both men. Body shots by Hughes. Hughes with a blitz, landing a couple of powerful punches. Nurmagomedov responds by coming back with strong kicks. Check hook for Hughes. Strong left hand by Nurmagomedov. Hughes coming forward. Nurmagomedov with a takedown attempt, but Hughes escapes. Three minutes left in the round. Big right hand by Hughes. Stiff jab by Hughes.

 

Right hand by Hughes. Nurmagomedov with a couple of strikes. Nurmagomedov with a low kick. Left jab by Nurmagomedov. Low kick by Hughes. Hughes with another low kick and a left hand by Nurmagomedov. Left and a right hand by Hughes. Hughes with a kick to the calf and lands a hook. Exchange between the two, both landing jabs. Left jab from Hughes is blocked. He blocks a knee from Nurmagomedov. Hughes grins as the crowd starts to chant. Hughes goes in for a small flurry, and Nurmagomedov scores another takedown before the bell.

 

 

Round 4

 

A couple of kicks from Hughes to start. Low kick by Nurmagomedov. And again. A high kick from Nurmagomedov is blocked. Hughes with a left hand. Strong low kick by Nurmagomedov. Low kick and it lands on the cup. Another time out here. Fight resumes after a minute-long time out. Stomp kick by Hughes. Nurmagomedov circles and goes in, and he scores another takedown. Nurmagomedov right back on the back, and he has one hook in. Hughes gets himself free and lands a couple of hooks before separating.

 

Low kicks from both men. Front kick by Nurmagomedov. Another takedown by Nurmagomedov. Another hook in, and Nurmagomedov threatens a choke before Hughes is able to escape out the back door. Both land straights. Right hand by Nurmagomedov. A couple of body shots by Hughes. Left hand by Hughes. Straight right to the body by Hughes. Low kick by Hughes. Left hand by Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov with a kick to the body. Round kick again for Nurmagomedov. High kick by Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov shoots in but gets shoved off on this takedown attempt. Spinning back kick misses for Nurmagomedov. Uppercut by Hughes. Another kick to the body for Nurmagomedov.

 

 

Round 5

 

Hughes looks to get some striking going. Low kicks by Nurmagomedov. Hook by Hughes, and Nurmagomedov answers in kind. Right hand makes Nurmagomedov step back, but he fires back punches of his own. Left jab by Hughes makes Nurmagomedov briefly off balance. Low kick by Hughes. Nurmagomedov with a takedown, but Hughes is right back up. Hughes shoves off another attempt. Nurmagomedov lands an uppercut. Left hand by Hughes.

 

The two exchange in the center. Nurmagomedov circles around the outside, trying to be cautious in this last round. Sharp right hand from Hughes. Low kick by Hughes. Hughes tries for some inside shots, but Nurmagomedov gets hit with an accidental clash of heads. A brief timeout, and Nurmagomedov is on the back foot, trying to catch Hughes off guard. Hughes with a combination, but Nurmagomedov lands underneath. Flying knee by Hughes, but Nurmagomedov gets a takedown. Nurmagomedov controls to the bell.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Usman Nurmagomedov defeats Paul Hughes by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47) to win the PFL Lightweight World Title.

 

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