Usman Nurmagomedov’s background is a prestigious one, coming out of the legendary Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov MMA School, having trained under the likes of American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez and cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov, and with training partners that include Islam Makhachev and 2024 PFL Lightweight Champion Gadzhi Rabadanov. Nurmagomedov won the Bellator Lightweight Championship with a victory over Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 288. He has since retained the title against Benson Henderson, Brent Primus and Alexandr Shabliy.

 

Paul Hughes has been one of MMA’s best rising stars coming out of Ireland. At 13-1, Hughes, who signed with the PFL last year, comes into tonight with a seven-fight win streak. He defeated Bobby King in Dublin back in June before a huge, split decision win over former Bellator champion AJ McKee at PFL Battle of the Giants in October to earn tonight’s title shot.

 

Who will leave Dubai as the Bellator Lightweight World Champion?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kicks from Nurmagomedov to start things off. Round kick by Nurmagomedov, testing range. A couple of more kicks from Nurmagomedov. Another low and body kick from the champion. Hughes finally responds with a low kick of his own. Front kick from Nurmagomedov. Round kick to the body. Low kick by Hughes. Right hand from Nurmagomedov. Side kick to the midsection by Nurmagomedov, followed by an inside leg kick.

 

Low kick from Nurmagomedov. More kicks from the champion. Solid jab from Nurmagomedov. The two exchange after a pause from a low blow. Hughes with a right hand to the midsection. Hughes catches Nurmagomedov coming in. Low side kick from Hughes. Hughes now lands a groin kick on Nurmagomedov, and we have another time out. Another exchange. Low kick from Hughes. Nurmagomedov with a front kick. Nurmagomedov with a high kick that misses. Left hand from Nurmagomedov. Inside hook from Hughes.

 

 

Round 2

 

Hughes with a jab as Nurmagomedov goes back to his kicking-based attack. Side kick to the face by Nurmagomedov. Low kicks again from Nurmagomedov. Switch kick by Hughes gets Nurmagomedov off balance. Nurmagomedov goes in for a clinch and takedown, but Hughes shakes him off. Nurmagomedov with a couple of low kicks. Another exchange, and Nurmagomedov gets a hold of Hughes, pursuing pressure. Flurry of shots from Hughes, as he rips to the body. Knee to the body by Nurmagomedov. Hughes and Nurmagomedov jockey for position against the fence.

 

 

Nurmagomedov digs into the body with knees and punches. Elbow on the break as the two go back to the center of the SmartCage. Nurmagomedov goes for another level change, but Hughes defends and lands a combination. Right hand to the body by Hughes. Nurmagomedov with a combination, but Hughes isn’t fazed. Low kick from Nurmagomedov. Strong knee from Hughes. Front kick from Nurmagomedov. Jab to the body and a low kick by Hughes. Knee narrowly misses Hughes’s chin, and a combination from Hughes on the champion. Hughes gets out of another Thai clinch from Nurmagomedov. Low kick from Hughes, and Nurmagomedov responds with a combination. One-two from Nurmagomedov.

 

 

 

Round 3

 

Left hand from Nurmagomedov. Low kick from the champion. Left hand and left low kick from Nurmagomedov. Inside right hand from Hughes. One-two from Nurmagomedov, who then grabs a leg, but Hughes gets away. Nurmagomedov kicks low, and Hughes gets hit on the groin. Another exchange with Nurmagomedov going for a leg, but he accidentally kicks Hughes in the groin again! Time is called again as Hughes is on the ground in pain! The defending champ will be deducted one point!

 

 

An exchange upon the fight’s resumption, and this time Nurmagomedov gets the takedown. Hughes gets to his feet, but Nurmagomedov gets another takedown. Nurmagomedov goes to the front headlock position as Hughes returns to his feet. Nurmaogmedov pins Hughes against the fence. Nurmagomedov lands a pair of strong elbows. Front kick by Nurmagomedov. Low kick from Nurmagomedov. Right hand by Nurmagomedov. Clinch again, and Hughes rips a combination to the body. Now he’s pressing the champ into the fence. Hughes with a few more shots to the body. Hughes throws a knee but gets caught. Nurmagomedov throws a knee of his own. Hughes with a combination to the body to end the round.

 

 

 

Round 4

 

Front kick from Nurmagomedov. Low kick from Nurmagomedov. Left hand by Nurmagomedov. Low kick by the defending champion, and Hughes lands a right hand. Low kick from Hughes. A couple of left hands from Nurmagomedov. Another left hand. Left hand from Hughes now. Low kick from Nurmagomedov. Hughes with an uppercut, landing in close. Right hand from Hughes.

 

Calf kick by Hughes, followed by an uppercut. Left hand and an inside leg kick from Nurmagomedov. Counter right from Hughes. Right hand from Hughes. Left hand from Nurmagomedov. Hughes throws a left, and we have a head clash! Hughes is busted open from the clash but he doesn’t want the fight paused. The fight continues, and both men land lefts. Nurmagomedov gets a takedown with just over a minute left. Right elbow from Nurmagomedov. Hughes trying to land punches to the face from the bottom. The two throw wildfire punches on the ground in the final 10 seconds.

 

 

Round 5

 

Hughes with a jab. Low kick from Nurmagomedov. Low kick from Nurmagomedov. Long left hook from Hughes is blocked, as Nurmagomedov lands more inside leg kicks. Hughes shoots in, but Nurmagomedov gets around to his back. Nurmagomedov lands a couple of knees to the thigh. Another pair of knees. Another knee. And again. More knees from the defending champion. Hughes gets back to his feet, turns, but Nurmagomedov is all over him with another takedown.

 

 

Hughes gets back to his feet but finds himself pressed against the SmartCage. Hughes with a switch, and now the fight is back in the center. Nurmagomedov with a jab. Hughes misses a hook, but the challenger presses Nurmagomedov into the fence. Nurmagomedov reverses the position with 80 seconds left in the fight. Hughes counters, gets an underhook. Hughes landing to the body as he tries to pressure Nurmagomedov back to the fence. Right hand and a knee from Nurmagomedov. Left hand from Nurmagomedov. Solid left hook from Hughes. 30 seconds to go! Right hand from Hughes. Combination from Hughes to the body. Hughes goes for a leaping knee, but Nurmagomedov catches it and goes for a takedown. Hughes with another switch, and the fight ends with Hughes swinging away on the defending champ! What a fight!

 

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46) to retain the Bellator Lightweight Championship