In a thrilling encounter at the PFL Champion Series 1 event held on January 25, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, Paul Hughes faced off against undefeated Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. The fight was a back-and-forth battle that lasted all five rounds, ending with a majority decision victory for Nurmagomedov. The judges scored the bout 47-47, 48-46, and 48-46 in favor of the Dagestani fighter.
Despite the loss, Hughes took to social media to share his immediate reaction. In an Instagram video, he showed off the stitches he received after the fight and expressed his frustration with the judges’ scorecards. “The judges’ scorecard was pretty ridiculous,” Hughes said. “I think we all thought I won that one. I’m judging from the energy of the arena and everyone surrounding the cage that thought it was mine.”
Paul Hughes Reveals The Main Reason Behind His Loss Against Usman Nurmagomedov
Hughes also mentioned an accidental headbutt in the fourth round that affected his momentum in the fight. “I felt like the stoppage in the fourth round with the head clash changed the momentum of the fight,” he explained. “I was ripping him so hard to the body and I felt him wheezing. I knew my momentum was coming on and I would’ve emptied the tank, but that changed the flow and he got recovery.”
Despite the disappointment, Hughes remained optimistic about a future rematch. “I know we will fight again,” he predicted. “I’m proud of myself but I need to get that back. I deserve to have that belt soon.”
The fight was a significant moment for Hughes, who had been on a seven-fight win streak before this loss. Usman Nurmagomedov, on the other hand, remains undefeated with a 19-0 (1) record.
Fans and fellow fighters have praised Hughes for his performance, with many believing the fight was a robbery. Khabib Nurmagomedov, who cornered for Usman Nurmagomedov, even invited Hughes and his team to Dagestan, expressing admiration for his efforts.