Derry’s Paul Hughes couldn’t pull off the upset in Dubai on Friday night as he lost to unbeaten Usman Nurmagomedov in their clash for the PFL Lightweight Title.
The rivals had met in January, when Nurmagomedov edged a split decision. This time, however, the Dagestani showed his class in front of 17,000 fans at the Coca-Cola Arena, securing a unanimous decision to stretch his perfect record to 20-0.
Cousin of UFC legend Khabib, Nurmagomedov started strong, dominating the opening round. But tensions boiled over when Hughes was caught low twice, sparking heated exchanges between the pair and even a clash of heads as they went back to their corners.
Hughes rallied in round two, pushing forward with confidence, but Nurmagomedov’s superior grappling nullified his attacks. Backed by a vocal Irish contingent, Hughes tried desperately to gain momentum, but his opponent continually disrupted any of Hughes' attacks.
More controversy followed in the fourth round when Hughes was again floored by a groin strike, yet he fought on bravely and survived a near-submission. By the fifth, Nurmagomedov coasted safely to the finish to seal the unanimous verdict.
A dejected Hughes vowed, “I will be back, trust me. I will be back.”
Nurmagomedov praised his rival, saying, “It was a very tough fight against a very tough opponent. I did not underestimate him, but I think he underestimated me.”
Khabib also paid tribute to Hughes afterwards: “We pushed Usman hard over the last eight months. In January, it was not easy, but today we showed how much we improved.”
Elsewhere on the card, Cork’s John Mitchell was beaten by Makkasharip Zaynukov, while Tyrone’s Caolan Loughran lost on his PFL debut.
Usman Nurmagomedov wins!
Paul Hughes looks dejected while Usman Nurmagomedov celebrates. The judges all score it comprehensively in favour of Nurmagomedov and there'll be no complaints
Fifth Round complete
Nurmagomedov is trash talking now as the final round begins.
Hughes makes his opponent lose his footing with a good jab but some great wrestling from Nurmagomedov, Hughes defends.
Another 50/50 round half way through, now we'll see what each fighter has left in the tank.
The Hughes corner overcelebrate each hit to try and sway the judges and he gets a good kick and then jab but the referee says it's a clash of heads and pauses the fight.
Nurmagomedov is cut and there is a clash of heads the replays show. The referee allows the fight to continue with a minute to go.
Hughes looking for a big finish but his opponent gets a crucial takedown which might decide the fight. He gets out again.
The bell rings and the pair embrace. Hughes believes he lost. We'll go to the scorecards
Round Four complete
Good kick from Nurmagomedov and he has been very efficient in this fight. Time is called for a groin shot and Hughes is down in a heap on the ground. The referee tells him he has five minutes but he is on the ground in serious pain.
Hughes is back up and ignores the apologetic fist bump from his opponent.
Nurmagomedov goes for the takedown and gets it, he's been clinical on these but Hughes gets out of it again.
But he gets another take down with two minutes to go and he NEARLY gets the submission. Hughes gets out of jail again.
Nurmagomedov is starting to feel it now and is firmly the aggressor, the first time he's truly dominated proceedings. Hughes will need a big fifth round. Hughes tries to squad up against his opponent after the bell, clearly not happy about the groin shot
Round Three complete
Plenty of chirping between the two fighters. Hughes starts off as the busier of the two but his opponent responds with some good leg kicks.
The crowd gets louder as Hughes hits a couple of good shots, but it's very even. Nurmagomedov rattled a little bit there with a head to the chin but he is so resilient.
Nurmagomedov with a late takedown which could win him the round, Hughes gets himself out of position with a missed punch.
Round Two complete
Ole Ole's ring out around the Coca-Cola Arena. A tamer start to this round, and Hughes is happy to be the aggressor. Hughes does well to stop some grappling to keep it upright but Nurmagomedov bides his time and pounces and takes the back.
This is where Hughes has to be patient. He does just that and catches Nurmagomedov lovely.
A good clinch and hook from Hughes. There are no fireworks to end this round but a strong one from Hughes
End of a dramatic round one
Nurmagomedov falls off balance but Hughes loses his footing too. The fight is paused as Hughes takes a hit to the crown jewels.
We take about two minutes before we get underway. For his part, Nurmagomedov is apologetic.
Hughes says he is hit in the crown jewels again but the referee says he didn't see it and fight on. Nurmagomedov takes him down and then puts together some fine wrestling to mount Hughes' back.
The Derry man is struggling on the ground and he tries to submit Hughes the Irishman is patient and gets a good hook in when they get back to their feet.
Hughes claims he was headbutt at the end of the round and the referee says no.
Grace rings out
Grace rings out for the prolonged Paul Hughes entrance and now he makes his way to the ring
Hughes en route to the ring
A confident looking Paul Hughes is soaking in the crowd, the atmosphere is electric.
Corey Anderson wins!
Unanimous decision win for Corey Anderson and a deserving winner.
Fight over!
Corey Anderson should be the winner here despite a late fight back. We'll have the result momentarily
Into round five
Corey Anderson's corner tell him it's over if he can keep himself composed. One more takedown but don't lose focus is the message
Round Three Over
Corey Anderson has been the more impressive of the two fighters through three rounds here.
Round Two Complete
An absolute grind of a fight thus far through two rounds. Hard tot ell which way it's going
Stop start fight
We're into round two but the fight was paused again and Anderson complains in the second about an eye poke
Fight paused
Corey Anderson stops after being poked in the eye. He is seen to by the doctor, but we resume
Co-Main Event Time
Corey Anderson takes on Dovlet Yagshimuradov in the co-main event. We are nearly ready to go.
Pettis wins!
A shock! Sergio Pettis was losing this entire fight and then got an unexpected finish with a super spinning back elbow
Magomedov v Pettis underway
We are one round into Magomedov v Pettis, after this is Corey Anderson v Dovlet Yagshimuradov then the main event!
Archie Colgan wins!
A strong finish from Archie Colgan and he nearly gets the finish at the end.
A unanimous decision win for the American. He scores 30-27 on two cards and 29-28 on the other
Colgan v Wilson update
Archie Colgan v Jay-Jay Wilson is in the final round. Colgan doing well as the third round draws to a close.
Ominous start for the Irish
Both John Mitchell and Caolan Loughran lost their bouts 29-28 on the judges' scorecards. Paul Hughes will hope to buck the trend
Loughran v Cartwright: Round Three Complete
Loughran went with the ground and pound for most of the third round. Cartwright is trying to let the clock bleed but his corner aren't fans of the tactic. The Tyrone man needs a finish and although he undoubtedly won this round, hard to see him getting the decision.
Loughran v Cartwright: Round Two Complete
Loughran in real trouble here through two rounds but ends strong with a takedown. He'll need a big third round. Highlight of the round was Loughran dodging a big right hook was taken down, a great move by Cartwright.
Loughran v Cartwright: Round One complete
Interesting first round from Caolan Loughran. He was rocked early with a right hand, and the contest was stopped with Loughran catching Cartwright in the eye with his thumb, but there was no malice in it.
Loughran takes a few too many strikes to the head in round one but grows into the fight and hits a big right late on.
Caolan Loughran in action
Tyrone's Caolan Loughran is ready for action against Jack Cartwright
