Usman Nurmagomedov successfully defended his Bellator lightweight title against Paul Hughes at the PFL Champions Series 1 Road to Dubai, hosted at the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, UAE, on January 25, 2025. This match showcased the determination of both fighters, with Hughes entering as the underdog but proving more formidable than anticipated.
The highly anticipated bout drew significant attention as Usman looked to maintain his unbeaten record. Khabib Nurmagomedov, Usman's cousin and legendary MMA fighter, was on hand to support him after recently cornering other fighters at the UFC event. The encounter promised potential thrills, and it did not disappoint.
Initially, the first round was relatively quiet, with both fighters sizing each other up. Usman expertly utilized his distance, landing effective kicks and punches, causing some marks on Hughes. Hughes landed some left hooks as well, which kept Usman alert. By the second round, Hughes demonstrated resilience, successfully knocking Usman down with kicks and defending against takedown attempts, which allowed him to gain the upper hand.
Things heated up as the fight progressed. A low blow incident led to brief stoppage, with Hughes taking some time to recover. Wounds were inflicted almost equally, but Hughes kept pushing forward. Notably, Hughes suffered a gash on his forehead, which did not seem to deter him, as he wiped the blood on his hands and continued fighting. Despite Usman's efforts, Hughes demonstrated incredible durability and skill.
At the conclusion of the bout, Usman Nurmagomedov found his groove again and scored important points. He dominated parts of the fourth round by delivering takedowns and asserting control. Nonetheless, Hughes held his ground, continuing to fend off attempts by Usman to gain complete control. By the final round, both fighters were visibly fatigued yet were unwilling to back down. Usman continued to push for takedowns, but Hughes countered effectively, landing punches of his own.
The fight ended with the judges tallying their scores. Two judges awarded the fight to Usman with scores of 48-46, indicating their perspective of his performance, whereas one judge called it even at 47-47. This majority decision awarded Nurmagomedov the victory and allowed him to retain his lightweight championship.
Post-fight, Usman reflected on the match, admitting, "Every part of my body hurts. I underestimated him, and that's the small mistake I made. He's a tough fighter, and he made me stronger." This statement encapsulates the respect he has for Hughes and the realization of the challenge he posed.
On the other side, Paul Hughes expressed his disappointment at the decision, stating, "I should have fought harder." His sentiment reveals his belief he performed admirably and could have earned the judges' favor if he had approached the fight more aggressively. Hughes, hailing from Belfast, Ireland, expressed his wish for a rematch to take place on his home turf, emphasizing his desire to take on Nurmagomedov again and seeking to even the score.
Following this bout, Usman Nurmagomedov remains undefeated, now holding a professional record of 19-0, whereas Hughes grapples with the disappointment of his second career loss, bringing his record to 13-2. This tenacity and competitive spirit showcased during the match highlight the essence of MMA and the thrilling unpredictability of championship bouts.
Nurmagomedov's successful title defense adds to his legacy within the lightweight division of Bellator but also ensures the growing narrative around Paul Hughes, who proved to be a significant challenge. The excitement and intensity of this fight will undoubtedly keep fans talking as the storyline continues to develop.