One of the most-anticipated fights of the year takes place tonight, as Paul Hughes and Usman Nurmagomedov clash over the PFL lightweight title for the second time.
In January, Nurmagomedov – a cousin of UFC legend Khabib – retained the belt with a narrow decision win over Hughes, who immediately turned his attention to a rematch.
With Nurmagomedov out of action, Hughes opted to return to the cage in May and stopped Bruno Miranda in the first minute, on home soil in Belfast, no less. That set up the Northern Irishman, who also carries the Irish Tricolour flag, for a rematch with Nurmagomedov this weekend, as the rivals return to Dubai.
It was there that Russia’s Nurmagomedov, 27, won a majority decision against “Big News”, 28, despite being docked a point for repeated low blows. A clash of heads was another element to the drama of the thrilling clash, which has fans excited for tonight’s main event.
“ I think whenever you fight somebody, especially over five rounds, you garner a certain level of respect,” Hughes told The Independent this week, playing down the echoes of Khabib vs Conor McGregor. “I really respect him,” Usman added. “I respect his skills. He’s a good fighter – the first time, I underestimated him.”
Follow live updates and results from Hughes vs Nurmagomedov 2, below.
MAJOR CONTROVERSY AS USMAN BEATS HUGHES AGAIN!
For what it’s worth, The Independent scored the fight 48-47 to Usman, but the same score for Hughes is also valid.
50-45 to Usman is inconceivable. 40-46 to Usman is also poor.
Alex Pattle3 October 2025 22:53
MAJOR CONTROVERSY AS USMAN BEATS HUGHES AGAIN!
Usman: “I felt I won every round, but it was a very tough fight.
“I didn’t underestimate you this time; I think maybe you underestimated me?” he adds with a smile. Hughes smiles back and shakes his head.
“Thank you so much for the fight, Paul.”
Hughes: “I wanna thank everybody so much for travelling all the way to Dubai.
“They were telling me I wasn’t getting a post-fight interview, but I had to come over here to thank you.
“I will be back, trust me, I will be back. And thank you Usman and his team as well – so much respect.”
Alex Pattle3 October 2025 22:38
MAJOR CONTROVERSY AS USMAN BEATS HUGHES AGAIN!
Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
Hughes knew from the moment he heard “50-45” that it was not going his way.
That particular score is too wide, for sure, but we had Usman winning. That said, MMA fans and journalists are going WILD about the scoring online right now…
Alex Pattle3 October 2025 22:34
Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov 2 live: Round five
Blood from the head clash drips down Usman’s cheek.
Nice jabbing from Usman, who looks to keep Hughes at bay. Now a takedown from the champ, who is clinging on to Hughes for dear life, with 30 seconds left.
It’s another close round, so could that be decisive?
Hughes gets free and stands, anyway! And the buzzer sounds.
There could be varied scorecards here. We could see anything from 3-2 to Usman to 3-2 to Hughes. Genuinely, only the first round was clear – and it was Usman’s.
Hughes looks annoyed at himself. Usman raises the challenger’s hand.
Alex Pattle3 October 2025 22:30
Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov 2 live: Round five
Final round! Usman looks fresher than Hughes. It could be 3-1 in the Russian’s favour, or it could be 2-2…
Hughes presses forward, Usman kicks low. The champ accuses Hughes of leading with his head. Hook and jab land for Usman. Oh! A jab by Hughes drops Usman to a knee!
But Usman gets a high crotch and tries to dump down Hughes, who walks in a handstand to escape! A bizarre but fun fight, this.
The crowd is at a fever pitch now. Three minutes to go, which could decide the outcome…
Another good jab by Hughes, then a slapping hook from Usman. Hughes buries a hook into the ribs of the champion.
Two minutes left. “Hunt him down, Paul!” comes an Irish voice from outside the cage. Hughes with a knee at close range; Usman with a clean right cross upstairs.
Hughes lands, but again Usman complains of a clash of heads, and the ref pauses the action. That head clash cut Usman. Very similar to the first fight, this one has had a head clash AND multiple low blows.
One minute left on the clock, FYI.
Alex Pattle3 October 2025 22:28
Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov 2 live: Round four
Into the championship rounds, and Hughes immediately hits the canvas in a heap from a low blow by Usman!
Just as in the first fight, Usman has landed at least two so far. Again, though, Hughes seemed to dip into it, in Usman’s defence. Hughes is lying flat on his stomach by the fence. He has five minutes to recover.
Now he’s back up, and the round will resume.
Some hesitance from Hughes in a striking exchange, and Usman pounces with a trip – before rapidly taking the back. Hughes is against the cage wall, and he does well to get free!
Body kick by Hughes. Low kick by Usman. Another rear body lock from Usman, but again Hughes shakes him off! Good cross by Usman, though, in the stand-up.
Hughes’s eyes are showing swelling. He has Usman frozen in front of him, with the Russian’s back to the cage, but doesn’t act!
Lovely timing on a straight punch from Usman, who is southpaw for now. In his corner, UFC star Islam Makhachev and UFC legend Khabib are shouting instructions.
Another close round, to be fair. Some barking between the fighters after this one!
Alex Pattle3 October 2025 22:23
Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov 2 live: Round three
The rivals are talking to each other. Both land jabs simultaneously.
Hughes leaps in with a hook but doesn’t quite land clean. He just avoids a head kick. Usman is breathing through his mouth but still producing constant activity.
Good range management from Usman right now. Hughes can’t quite get past the end of the Russian’s shots.
Usman shoots, but Hughes sprawls to deny him. Overhand right from Hughes, then a jab! Low kick by Usman.
Usman dips into a hook then eats a front kick to the body. Hard low kick by the champ in response.
Oh! Fun exchanges here, with both men landing. “Ole” chants from the Irish in the building, but Usman times a takedown after a wild miss by Hughes.
The buzzer sounds on another close round, however. Usman’s, this time, I’d say… but it’s so tough to call.
Alex Pattle3 October 2025 22:15
Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov 2 live: Round two
Fine jab by Hughes. And another. Usman has been southpaw for a while, but now he switches. He’s landing jabs of his own.
Hughes with a cross to the body. Usman leans back to evade a head kick. Hughes has the centre of the cage but isn’t letting his hands go much.
Usman with a knee to the body in the clinch, but Hughes lands a jab once they separate.
Hughes blocks a high kick. Again Usman rolls under a punch to land a body-lock takedown! He drags down Hughes, hauling him to the fence and the canvas.
Back elbow from Hughes, who has stood, as Usman looks to work from the back. Good defence by Hughes, and he’s free!
Big right hook by the challenger! Usman is trying to land knees, but as in the first fight, Hughes is using those moments to throw scores of hooks.
Piston jab by Hughes, then a knee to the body. Usman beckons him on! Usman with a jab of his own.
A much closer round, but probably Hughes’s.
Alex Pattle3 October 2025 22:09