Usman Nurmagomedov defeats Paul Hughes in close title fight

DUBAI: Usman Nurmagomedov retained his Bellator lightweight championship against Paul Hughes at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

The Russian secured a majority decision victory with scores of 47-47, 48-46, and 48-46.

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The Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes contest proved to be fiercely contested, with Hughes demonstrating impressive prowess and tenacity throughout the five rounds.

Despite a point of deduction for Nurmagomedov due to low blows in the second round, his four successful takedowns ultimately swayed the judges in his favour.

Paul Hughes was considered an underdog heading into the much-anticipated match. He expressed his surprise at the judges’ scoring, stating that he believed he has won the fight.

In a post-fight interview, the 27-year-old indicated the need to review the fight but felt the atmosphere in the arena suggested he was the rightful victor.

The Irish stated that a critical moment in the fourth round when an accidental head clash provided Nurmagomedov with an opportunity to recover, which he felt changed the tide of the fight’s result.

Meanwhile, Usman Nurmagomedov now boasts a record of 19-0. In his post-fight remarks, the 26-year-old said that he has underestimated the Irish fighter. The Russian commended Hughes for his skills, stating that the fight has compelled him to elevate his performance.

The outcome of the match sparked furious debate in MMA circles regarding a potential rematch, with Hughes advocating for another chance to compete for the title.

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Besides the main event, the “Road to Dubai Champions” series featured several other fights, including Vadim Nemkov’s submission win over Tim Johnson and Akhmed Magomedov’s victory against Nathan Kelly.