Paul Hughes has replayed his January fight against then-Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov over and over in his mind, reflecting on all the things he did and didn’t do well. He felt he was on the verge of achieving all the glory.
Instead, after a Fight of the Year contender, Nurmagomedov was the one who got his hand raised.
It was a bittersweet moment for Hughes (14-2), as the Irish fighter believed he had done enough to fulfill the prophecy of becoming the PFL’s next big thing. It’s still something he thinks about, assessing all aspects of the contest.
Now, facing Nurmagomedov in a rematch on October 3 in Dubai, the loss has motivated Hughes. The whole ordeal, from pre-fight shenanigans to the contest itself, has helped him grow as a fighter.
“I’ve watched it back multiple times. I’m not one to make excuses — it was a razor-close fight, and credit to him for getting his hand raised — but in my heart, I felt I did enough to win,” Hughes told The Sporting News.
“The judges saw it differently, and that’s the game sometimes. But I learned more in those five rounds than I have in some of my wins, and I’m grateful for the experience.”
The judges scored the fight 48-46 twice for Nurmagomedov and 47-47. Hughes forced Nurmagomedov, the cousin of the legendary Khabib, to dig deeper than ever before. It was a massive performance from the 28-year-old, who has grown into a top-tier talent.
Hughes is a former Cage Warriors featherweight champion. The PFL saw something in him, and Hughes ran with it, showcasing confidence many described as cocky. However, a win against former Bellator champion A.J. McKee quickly turned detractors into admirers.
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Nurmagomedov (19-0, 1 NC) was a top prospect in Bellator, winning the Bellator lightweight title in 2022. He got a taste of his own medicine against Hughes, who was not one to smear the champion’s skills despite the friction between the two.
“Usman’s a top-tier fighter,” Hughes said. “You don’t go undefeated that long by accident. He’s slick on the feet, moves well, and he’s very disciplined — doesn’t give you much for free. His range control was smart.
“But at the same time, I felt in there that I could absolutely push the pace and take over in certain areas. I don’t think he likes being dragged into a dogfight. When I started putting pressure on him, I could feel the momentum shift.”
It was thought the rematch wouldn’t happen. Similar to Tom Aspinall’s journey in attempting to fight Jon Jones, Hughes did whatever he could to persuade the PFL and Nurmagomedov. He competed in May in his backyard in Belfast and made sure to prove why he’s still worthy.
Now, fighting for the PFL lightweight title, both will attempt to trump the other in an anticipated rematch.
All Hughes needs to do is step in the cage, where he hopes glory isn’t just hypothetical this time.
“Every fight is an evolution, and the rematch is about sharpening the weapons and closing the gaps,” Hughes said. “You’ll see a more aggressive, confident version of me this time. I’ve had a taste now — I know I belong at the very top, and I’m coming to take what’s mine.”
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