Archive October 2, 2025

Dan Hardy saw something in Paul Hughes during the build-up to his epic first fight with Usman Nurmagomedov in January which he knew would define the fight.

Confidence.

Former British welterweight Hardy, who was on commentary duty for the PFL that night in Dubai, knew that would be key because he’d seen Hughes use it to his advantage before.

Just three months earlier the Northern Irishman had proved his doubters wrong by beating former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee, despite being the underdog.

“This won him 50% of the fight with McKee, he rattled him. And I saw it in Usman – he was trying to figure out why Paul was so confident and that can be very unnerving,” Hardy told BBC Sport.

“Usman probably isn’t used to that type of confidence. That was a defining factor for the whole fight week.”

Hughes, 28, was on the losing end of a unanimous decision in a back-and-forth bout Hardy described as “having everything”.

“There was so much drama. The atmosphere in the arena, it felt very much 50-50 in there for Usman and Paul,” he added.

“The corner teams were tense as well – you could see Khabib [Nurmagomedov] pretending to choke people out in the corner. We had the groin strikes and clash of heads that played into it as well, it gave you everything you want from a first fight.”

Now the stage is set for a rematch, with the 27-year-old Nurmagomedov defending his PFL lightweight title against Hughes in Dubai again on Friday.

“This feels like a legitimate world-class lightweight battle between two guys who can step seamlessly into the top 10 in the world right now,” said Hardy.

Hughes, who is a former featherweight champion in UK-based promotion Cage Warriors, joined the PFL in 2024 and has looked at home in the promotion.

As well as the win over McKee, he has earned stoppage victories over Bobby King and Bruno Miranda in May.

Nurmagomedov, who was making the third defence of his belt, represented a step up in difficulty but Hughes impressed throughout as he embraced the underdog tag.

“His footwork and his striking were incredible, his takedown defence was outstanding and I think he surprised Usman,” said Hardy.

The first fight had some close rounds which could have gone either way, with the pair engaging in a number of exciting striking exchanges.

There were also three stoppages in the bout – two for accidental groin shots, which Nurmagomedov was deducted a point for, and one for a clash of heads which split Hughes’ forehead open.

Hardy said Hughes will need to be busier if he wants to be victorious in the rematch.

“I think Hughes’ volume will increase, he lost on volume in the rounds he lost,” added the 43-year-old.

“Even though Usman’s kicks weren’t as impactful, it’s racking up points on the scorecard and a smart team around Paul, which I know he has, will be thinking we have to do more on the scorecards this time around.”

Nurmagomedov’s team includes former UFC lightweight champion and cousin Khabib, who retired having won all 29 of his fights, and ex-UFC lightweight title holder Islam Makhachev.

Hardy is expecting a different narrative in the rematch, however.

“I don’t think Usman will have a choice. I think Khabib will have taken him back to the mountains in Dagestan after that first fight and absolutely put him through the ringer,” he said.

It’s never been better for Crystal Palace.

Eagles fans have been posting disbelief on social media, with Thursday’s Conference League opener against Dynamo Kyiv in Poland being the first to begin their first European campaign.

Following last year’s historic FA Cup triumph, Palace’s triumphant return to Wembley in August to win the Community Shield by defeating Liverpool, and their unbeaten start that places them third in the Premier League, are riding on the top of the wave.

However, there is still uncertainty to come in the mix.

The England centre-back will leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season with nine months left on his contract, unless something unexpected occurs.

Their exceptional playmaker, Adam Wharton, is also being pursued by the best clubs in European football.

Then, of course, there is Oliver Glasner, the club’s mastermind behind its remarkable transformation.

He was saved by emergency surgery, but he was later advised to retire from professional football.

The fact that Glasner is the person who gave life to a football team that appeared content to survive is ironic.

And for this reason, the 51-year-old’s uncertain future at Palace is so heavily weighed.

Glasner was given a new contract earlier this summer, but he has not yet agreed to an extension, according to sources who spoke to BBC Sport.

According to well-placed insiders, the Austrian favored putting the club’s commitment to developing the squad before making a decision until the end of the transfer window, a choice he made in part because he was curious about how committed the team was to developing the squad.

In a summer where Palace made a profit of £16.3 million, Glasner publicly criticised how the club operated as the weeks went on.

Only Yeremy Pino has so far started a Premier League game out of the five new signings at Palace.

Then there was the infamous incident where they were deposed by Uefa from the Europa League for breaking multi-club ownership laws.

In light of all of this, Glasner’s behavior is understandable.

Even though the initial indications aren’t entirely positive, that possibility isn’t being completely discounted.

Sources close to Palace claim Glasner’s future is uncertain and that the club’s perceived summer transfer inactivity was interpreted as a sign that he and the club don’t share the same goals.

The Eagles won’t give up on trying to persuade him to stay, though.

The former Eintracht Frankfurt coach might find it helpful to the Austrian to have discussions over the future if Palace provided him with certain guarantees and control over transfer operations.

However, despite both clubs agreeing a fee, it has been pointed out to BBC Sport that it was Glasner who effectively vetoed Guehi’s move to Liverpool on deadline day. He already has a significant handle on transfer matters, in essence.

Although Palace are yet to make an official announcement about the appointment of their new executive, it is believed that former Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs, who has replaced the recently retired Dougie Freedman, has now officially started working at Selhurst Park.

Hobbs, you’d assume, has his own opinions regarding the club’s upcoming hiring strategies, and it’s to be seen if that fits with Glasner’s opinions.

In the upcoming months, it will be interesting to see how Palace intends to address the problems involving Guehi and Wharton.

A new central defender will need to be signed without paying the upfront transfer fee because Guehi, 25, is expected to leave on a free.

The club is willing to extend the 21-year-old’s 2029 contract with Wharton.

If there is a consensus over a new deal, the inclusion of a release clause, which would likely extend beyond the £75 million mark, might be advantageous for all parties.

It is understood that Palace is interested in AZ Alkmaar’s 19-year-old Dutchman Kees Smit in terms of potential midfield additions.

After seeing Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze depart, you wonder, though, how Glasner would feel about continuing without Guehi and possibly Wharton.

His stock is at an all-time high, it is obvious. Bigger clubs are undoubtedly noticeable.

Although Old Trafford insiders insist they continue to support their under-pressure manager, no candidate shortlists have been created, BBC Sport Glasner has been informed that a list of candidates to replace Ruben Amorim will be included on the list.

Bayern Munich are also keeping a watchful eye over Glasner, who tried and failed to do so in the summer of 2024, but there is no sign of Vincent Kompany being investigated.

Although Glasner is regarded as one of the best out-of-possession coaches in Europe, it would be fascinating to watch how he would setup a team that was expected to dominate the ball, according to BBC Sport.

The grass isn’t always greener, despite how appealing it may be to run a top club.

The supporters adore him, and he appears to have an affinity for his players at Selhurst Park.

What if Palace somehow earns a place in the Champions League? Would he be affected by that in his choice?

Glasner is a wise man who will understand that dynamic development is difficult to cultivate.