The Professional Fighter’s League started their year with a bang from the Coca-Cola arena in Dubai on Saturday evening as Dagestan’s Usman Nurmagomedov and Ireland’s Paul Hughes produced a fight for the ages in the last-ever Bellator lightweight championship fight.
There aren’t many fights outside of the UFC that grab the attention of the public on a global scale, but the contest dubbed Dagestan vs Ireland 2 was one of those that did. Nurmagomedov retained his belt and extended his unbeaten streak to 19 -0 after the judges scored the fight 47-47, 48-46, 48-46 in his favour.
The electrifying match-up has been labelled the best PFL main event in their history, with calls from all around the MMA world for a rematch in Hughes’ home city of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
It is a savage result for Irishman Hughes, who had hoped to take his career to the next level after a majestic win over AJ McKee in October. And while the 27-year-old did his reputation no harm in what is just the second defeat of his career, it was ultimately Nurmagomedov’s night.
“I underestimated this guy. It was my little mistake, but I’m still undefeated,” said a cousin of UFC legend Khabib. He added,d “Thank you so much. The wrestling and takedown defence he did very well. He is strong brother, you’re really strong.”
A bloody Hughes said post fight “We’re going to fight again, I really respect Usman, I probably left some in the tank but I won’t next time. I really thought I was going to win tonight, I’m heartbroken. We have to do the rematch in Belfast, it has to be in Belfast. I think I’ve earned this. All the guys in Dagestan, you will be welcome in Ireland.”
UFC 311: Merab Dvalishvili Upsets The Odds As He Becomes The First Man To Defeat Umar Nurmagomedov.
The Biggest Fight Outside Of The UFC.
Before the headline fight, Hughes said he was ready to take Nurmagomedov to the “depths of hell” and claimed he was going to knock the champion out in the second round.
And while the bout ultimately did not play out that way, a smiling and bloody Hughes caused huge problems for his unbeaten opponent in a highly technical and thrilling main event that has seen the Irishman’s social media followers increase by 25% overnight.
That just shows the magnitude of what this fight was, similar to Oktagon’s lightweight championship fight last month between Losene Keita and Rony Paradeiser, where the fight had a much wider interest due to the calibre and ability of the competitors, who in turn delivered on the biggest stage with the world watching.
Rematch In Ireland.
The fighting city of Belfast has witnessed some famous nights in combat sports before now, with legends such as Carl Frampton and Michael Conlan gathering a small nation together to create a unique and powerful atmosphere that is unrivalled anywhere on the globe. There have been some big nights in Ireland for Hughes in the past, but with the catapulted position he now finds himself in, what he can create with a dance partner like Usman has the potential to be legendary.
When ‘Big News’ arrived with the PFL last year, he brought with him an aura built on confidence and self-belief in his own ability, backing it up with a charming record on Cage Warriors, where he held the featherweight championship belt and wins over two fighters now in the UFC; Jordan Vucenic and Morgan Charriere.
Hughes has now earned the right to have the opportunity to run it back with Nurmagomedov in his own city, and the organisation will likely want to book it immediately. They didn’t mess around when it came to pencilling Saturday night fight after Hughes called for it after the win over former Bellator champion AJ McKee, and they recognise that they have a world superstar in the young Belfast man, so they will work as a collective to produce another spectacular night of mixed martial arts.
Full Undercard Results
W U. Nurmagomedov def Paul Hughes LMajority Dec
W Vadim Nemkov def Tim JohnsonLSub, 3:08 R1
W A. Magomedov def Nathan Kelly LSub, 4:22 R2
W I. Ibragimov def K. Mokhonoana LUnanimous Dec
W Renat Khavalov def C. Fernandes LUnanimous Dec
W Ahmed Sami def Tarek Suleiman LKO/TKO, 5:00 R1
W M. Akhtamov def Mike Thompson LSub, 2:50 R2
W H. Al Hussaini def Ruel Pañales LUnanimous Dec
W John Mitchell def Souhil Tairi LUnanimous Dec
