In a fight that will go down as an instant classic, undefeated lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov successfully defended his title against Irish challenger Paul Hughes on Saturday in Dubai. But it was far from easy, as Nurmagomedov had to dig deep and rally late to eke out a razor-thin majority decision after five thrilling rounds.
The matchup served as the final fight under the Bellator MMA banner before the promotion officially merges with its parent company, the Professional Fighters League (PFL). And the two 155-pound stars made sure to deliver a memorable battle to close out Bellator’s storied 15-year run.
A Challenger Rises
Hughes, who earned the title shot by upsetting former featherweight champ AJ McKee in October, looked every bit Nurmagomedov’s equal from the opening bell. The 27-year-old SBG Ireland product found a home for his heavy hands early, battering the Dagestani phenom’s body with thudding kicks and punches.
Undeterred, Nurmagomedov tried to utilize his vaunted wrestling game, but Hughes showcased incredible takedown defense, shucking off the champion’s shot attempts and making him pay with sharp counterstrikes. As the fight wore on, it was Hughes who appeared to be pulling ahead.
Controversy Erupts
The pivotal moment came in a wild third round. After Nurmagomedov was docked a point for repeated low blows, an accidental clash of heads threatened to bring a premature end to the fight. But both warriors persevered despite nasty cuts, determined to settle things inside the cage.
A Champion’s Resolve
Nurmagomedov, with his perfect 19-0 record hanging by a thread, stormed out of his corner for the championship rounds like a man possessed. With his cousin Khabib shouting encouragement, the 26-year-old finally secured a takedown and unleashed his trademark ground-and-pound, looking to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Not to be outdone, Hughes surged back to his feet, cracking Nurmagomedov with elbows and uppercuts that had the crowd on its feet. The fight ended in a furious fire-fight, both men throwing haymakers until the final bell.
“Brother, you’re tough. Honestly, I underestimated this guy. But I’m still undefeated and I’m still the undisputed Bellator lightweight champion.”
— Usman Nurmagomedov, post-fight
And Still…
When the scorecards were read, Nurmagomedov retained his title by the slimmest of margins. Two judges saw it 48-46 in his favor, while the third scored it an even 47-47 draw. The crowd both cheered the incredible fight they had witnessed and howled in protest at the controversial decision.
For his part, a gracious Hughes gave credit to Nurmagomedov for a great fight, but made it clear he felt he had done enough to dethrone the champion. The proud Irishman called for an immediate rematch, this time in his adopted hometown of Belfast.
The Future Is Bright
With both fighters just entering their primes, this has all the makings of a rivalry for the ages. And with the PFL Smartcage on the horizon, Nurmagomedov and Hughes could be on a collision course to run it back sooner rather than later. One thing’s for sure – after a Fight of the Year contender like this, fans will be clamoring to see the rematch.
As the Bellator lightweight division sets sail for the PFL, it does so with a dominant yet still unproven champion at the helm, and a tenacious challenger determined to make good on his bid for gold. Buckle up – this voyage is just getting started, and if their first encounter is any indication, there will be plenty of thrills along the way.
