Hughes beaten by Nurmagomedov in Bellator title bout

With Usman Nurmagomedov winning by a unanimous majority in Dubai, Paul Hughes’ attempt to become the lightweight champion was agonizingly unsuccessful.

Nurmagomedov retained the belt and extended his unbeaten streak to 19 fights after the judges scored the fight 47-47, 48-46, 48-46 in his favour.

Irishman Hughes, who had hoped to advance his career further after winning over AJ McKee in October, was devastated by this outcome.

And while the 27-year-old did his reputation no harm in what was his second defeat, it was ultimately Nurmagomedov’s night.

“I underestimated this guy. It was my little mistake but I’m still undefeated”, said Nurmagomedov.

“Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, thank you so much. The wrestling, takedown defence he did very well. He is strong brother, you’re really strong”.

A visibly crestfallen Hughes said he was “so gutted” after a fight which “played out how I expected”, while calling for a rematch in Belfast.

“I really believed I had prevailed,” she said. I should have pushed harder”, he said.

“We’re gonna fight again, I really respect Usman, I probably left some in the tank but I won’t next time.

Prior to the headline fight, Hughes declared he was prepared to take Nurmagomedov to “the depths of hell” and promised to eliminate the champion in the second round.

A smiling Hughes caused a lot of trouble for his unbeaten opponent in a highly technical and entertaining main event at Coco-Cola Arena, even though the bout ultimately did not go as planned.

The fighters showed respect to one another during a tense and technical opening round, where they both landed unintended groin shots, after intensifying their fighting in the build-up.

Nurmagomedov was spotted by Hughes in round two with a switch kick, while the Irishman impressively defended the champion’s repeated takedown attempts. His cousin, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, was in his corner.

In the third round, Nurmagomedov caught Hughes with an additional unintentional groin shot, which resulted in a point loss for the Russian.

Nurmagomedov received a check from the doctor in the fourth round, and Hughes’ forehead was cut as a result of a head-collision.

Nurmagomedov, who was deemed fit to continue, took down Hughes in the fourth round and held onto the lead until the fifth round when he successfully continued.

After Hughes fled, the two fighters exchanged blows until the fight came to an abrupt halt, with both claiming to be confident in their own success.

But Hughes dropped his head into his hands when Nurmagomedov’s name was called out, marking the latest win in the Russian’s impressive career.

” We settled our differences in here tonight. There’s a lot of respect, “added Hughes.