Paul Hughes, the Irish lightweight contender, vehemently contested the judges’ scoring of his majority decision loss to reigning Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov at the PFL Road To Dubai Champions Series, asserting his belief that he deserved the victory and demanding a rematch. Despite entering the fight as a significant underdog, Hughes delivered a performance that challenged Nurmagomedov throughout the five-round contest at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, pushing the undefeated Russian champion to his limits and exceeding expectations. The fight was marked by a point deduction against Nurmagomedov in the third round for a repeated low blow, a moment that appeared to shift the momentum in Hughes’ favor as he seemed to gain strength while Nurmagomedov showed signs of fatigue.
The judges’ scorecards, however, ultimately favored Nurmagomedov, with two judges awarding him a 48-46 victory and one judge scoring the bout a 47-47 draw. After accounting for Nurmagomedov’s point deduction, the scorecards indicated that all three judges believed Nurmagomedov had won more rounds, with two judges only awarding a single round to Hughes. This result was met with disbelief by Hughes, who expressed his incredulity in a post-fight Instagram video, stating his perception of the fight’s outcome differed significantly from the official decision. He noted the energy of the arena and the reactions of those surrounding the cage, suggesting that the general consensus was in his favor. While acknowledging the need to review the fight footage for a clearer assessment, Hughes maintained his belief that he had won.
Hughes attributed a pivotal shift in momentum to an accidental clash of heads in the fourth round. At that point, Hughes believed he was wearing Nurmagomedov down, targeting his body with powerful strikes and sensing the champion’s fatigue. The stoppage, while necessary to address the headbutt, allowed Nurmagomedov to recover both from the impact and the relentless pace Hughes had set. Hughes acknowledged the legitimacy of the stoppage, recognizing Nurmagomedov’s right to recover, but emphasized the impact it had on the fight’s trajectory. He felt that the interruption disrupted his rhythm and allowed Nurmagomedov to regain his composure.
Despite his disappointment with the result, Hughes demonstrated professionalism, accepting responsibility for not pushing harder and vowing to do so in a future rematch. He expressed a profound sense of disappointment and frustration with the outcome, using words like “gutted” to convey the depth of his emotions. However, amidst his disappointment, Hughes also expressed pride in his performance, recognizing the significance of challenging an undefeated champion and pushing him to the limit. His focus immediately shifted towards a rematch with Nurmagomedov, expressing his unwavering determination to secure another opportunity to face the champion and, in his words, “get that back.”
Hughes’s conviction in his deserved victory stems from his perception of the fight’s dynamics. He believed he was breaking down Nurmagomedov, both physically and mentally, and was on the verge of capitalizing on that momentum. The accidental headbutt and subsequent stoppage, he argued, disrupted this momentum and allowed Nurmagomedov to regroup. This conviction fuels his desire for a rematch, where he intends to leave no doubt about the outcome. Hughes declared his intent to not just win the rematch, but to definitively claim the belt he believes he rightfully deserves.
The disputed decision and Hughes’s passionate response have set the stage for a potential future rematch, which would undoubtedly generate significant interest. The close nature of the first fight, combined with the controversy surrounding the judging, creates a compelling narrative for a second encounter between Hughes and Nurmagomedov. Hughes’s insistence that he was on the cusp of victory, coupled with his vocal demand for a rematch, adds further fuel to the fire and lays the groundwork for a highly anticipated rematch that could potentially define the future of both fighters’ careers. This sets the scene for a compelling rivalry, which could become a focal point of the PFL in the coming years.
