Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes are two of the best lightweights in mixed martial arts competing outside the UFC and the pair put on a five-round showing in the main event of a PFL Champions Series event Saturday in Dubai.
Nurmagomedov improved to 19-0 in pro MMA and defended his Bellator title after escaping with a tightly contested majority decision victory over Hughes who had a seven-fight winning streak snapped while proving a worthy challenger.
The 26-year-old won the Bellator title in 2022 when he defeated Patricky Pitbull. Dagestan’s Nurmagomedov also holds title defence wins over Benson Henderson and Alexandr Shabily.
Belfast’s Hughes, 27, earned his title shot by defeating former featherweight champion A.J. McKee in October.
Hughes had success with body shots and takedown defence throughout the 25-minute bout with Nurmagomedov mixing in wrestling attacks with his striking.
A point deduction in the third round after repeated low blow fouls from Nurmagomedov complicated the scorecards with two judges scoring four rounds for Nurmagomedov and the third judge awarding three of the five rounds and scoring the bout a draw.
Nurmagomedov is the younger brother of recent UFC bantamweight title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov and a cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov admitted after the fight he underestimated Hughes as an opponent.
In other action, former Bellator light-heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov picked up a first-round submission win over Timothy Johnson in a heavyweight contest.
Below are the official results from PFL Champions Series 1: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes…
MAIN CARD
-- Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes by majority decision (47–47, 48–46, 48–46)
-- Vadim Nemkov def. Timothy Johnson by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1
-- Akhmed Magomedov def. Nathan Kelly by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2
-- Ibragim Ibragimov def. Kenny Mokhonoana by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
-- Renat Khavalov def. Cleiver Fernandes by unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28)
PRELIMINARY CARD
-- Ahmed Sami def. Tarek Suleiman by TKO (retirement), Round 1
-- Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Mike Thompson by technical submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2
-- Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def. Ruel Pañales by unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 30–27)
-- John Mitchell def. Souhil Tahïri by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
-- Haider Khan def. Mostafa Rashed Nada by TKO (arm injury), Round 1
-- Talal AlQallaf def. Saeed AlHosani by unanimous decision (29–27, 29–28, 30–27), *amateur bout
