Video: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes: Best fight in PFL history? Immediate rematch?
Usman Nurmagomedov retained his Bellator lightweight title in thrilling fashion this past weekend.
The undefeated protégé of UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov went toe to toe with Ireland's Paul Hughes to win a majority decision in the main event of PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series. It was a highly competitive fight that had many fans entertained and debating who was the rightful winner. Some even suggested that Nurmagomedov (19-0) and Hughes (13-2) should run things back in an immediate rematch.
So, should PFL book these two again? Did Nurmagomedov deserve the decision win? Was this the best fight in PFL's history?
MMA Junkie's Nolan King, Mike Bohn, Danny Segura and host Gorgeous George discuss Nurmagomedov's title defense over Hughes and what should come next for both fighters.
Watch their discussion in the video above, and don't miss this week's complete episode of "Spinning Back Clique" below on YouTube.
Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: Usman Nurmagomedov defends Bellator title, Conor McGregor's career update, GFL draft, more
Matchup Roundup: New UFC, PFL fights announced in the past two weeks (Jan. 13-26)
Conor McGregor lashes out at Paul Hughes' loss: 'The Nurmagomedovs are not fighters'
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Video: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes: Best fight in PFL history? Immediate rematch?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
13 minutes ago
- USA Today
Raoni Barcelos excited for shot to take out ex-champ Cody Garbrandt at UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos excited for shot to take out ex-champ Cody Garbrandt at UFC Atlanta Show Caption Hide Caption UFC Atlanta: Raoni Barcelos media day Raoni Barcelos speaks to reporters at the UFC Atlanta media day. ATLANTA – Raoni Barcelos met the media Wednesday ahead of his fight at UFC on ESPN 69. Barcelos (19-5 MMA, 8-4 UFC) takes on Cody Garbrandt (14-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) in a bantamweight fight on the ESPN main card at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. At media day, Barcelos took questions from media members before his fight. Barcelos said the massive upset he pulled off in January – one of the biggest in UFC history against 12-1 favorite Payton Talbott at UFC 311 – gave him extra confidence to know he's heading in the right direction after a stretch of four losses in five fights. The fight with Garbrandt it one he said he's been asking to have for a while. "I asked for the fight a long time ago – when the hype was all on me," the 38-year-old Barcelos told MMA Junkie. "Cody was on his way to become a champion, and the fight never happened. It's all timing. Right now, I feel so much better (than when I first called him out). I'm much more complete of a fighter. "… The fight's happening at the right time. Cody's going to be a good fight for me, but this is the perfect time for me to fight him." Check out Barcelos' full media day interview in the video above.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Ilia Topuria sounds off on rival: 'Who the f*ck is Paddy Pimblett right now?'
Ilia Topuria sounds off on rival: 'Who the f*ck is Paddy Pimblett right now?' Ilia Topuria wants to put his rivalry with Paddy Pimblett to rest by meeting in the octagon. It's clear that the two parties don't like each other, but their paths have never aligned to meet inside the cage to exchange more than insults behind a microphone. Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) recently vacated the UFC featherweight title to move up to the lightweight division, where Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) resides. Even though they will both be in the same division, a few things will likely need to happen for the promotion to feel like the fight makes sense. Topuria will challenge former champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317, while Pimblett, ranked No. 8 by the promotion, is coming off a win over former title challenger Michael Chandler at UFC 314 and does not yet have another fight scheduled. Topuria recalls Pimblett comparing their careers at the UFC 282 pre-fight press conference, when they shared a pay-per-view card. Pimblett fought in the co-main event against Jared Gordon while Topuria fought in the main card opener against Bryce Mitchell. "He's a hypocrite," Topuria told ESPN Deportes in Spanish. "I'll tell you, I remember we shared a press conference once, and he said something like, 'I'm fighting in the main card, and you're on the prelims,' some kind of nonsense. And now I'm thinking, I have two belts. Where are you? Who the f*ck is Paddy Pimblett right now and why would he deserve to fight me right now?" Since sharing the stage at that press conference, Topuria captured the 145-pound title two fights later, while Pimblett has continued his steady ascent at 155 pounds. The two have continued to take shots at each other in various interviews over the years, but Topuria is now eager to just settle things once and for all when it counts. So much so that Topuria says he'd pick Pimblett if he could choose his next opponent – to not only put their rivalry to rest, but to also add another finish to his record. "Honestly, if I could choose a fight, I would fight him because I hate him," Topuria said. "He's a pain in the ass. I'd love to give that fight to the fans, because for a long time, I believe that in the UFC, you haven't seen a real fight. Two people who really want to fight each other, and what better way than to fight in front of everyone and put on a show? I know what's going to happen, and it won't be good for him."
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 69's Mansur Abdul-Malik explains why he's 'disgusted' with all of his fights
UFC on ESPN 69's Mansur Abdul-Malik explains why he's 'disgusted' with all of his fights Show Caption Hide Caption UFC Atlanta: Mansur Abdul-Malik media day interview Mansur Abdul-Malik speaks to reporters at the UFC Atlanta media day. ATLANTA – Mansur Abdul-Malik has yet to taste defeat in his professional fighting career and has finished every opponent that he's faced. Somehow, that's not good enough. Abdul-Malik (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is incredibly tough on himself, which is probably why his record is unblemished, even if he's not happy with what he's put on film thus far. At UFC on ESPN 69 (ESPN, ESPN+), the self-described "man of extra" will get an opportunity to turn in a performance he can be happy with when he takes on Cody Brundage at State Farm Arena. "I feel like I've lost eight times in a row," Abdul-Malik told MMA Junkie and other reporters at media day. "In my mind, I'm absolutely disgusted with every single performance that I've had leading up to this one. So, I want to dominate even more. I want to be cleaner, I want to be more precise, I want to be more perfect each and every single time. In the most truthful way. A lot of people might say that, but when I look back on prior experiences and prior fights, I'm like, 'Who is that guy? That's not me. That's not the person that was just training yesterday.' "So, I'm excited to show what I am now. I'm excited to show my new techniques. I'm excited to show who I truly am. Each and every single fight is a growing experience when you're inside that cage. Building that experience. Getting that relevant experience. Opening yourself up more, being more comfortable inside the octagon. This is going to be a new start. It's going to be absolutely beautiful, and I cannot wait to perform. To absolultely perform. To be happy. To be empty inside that cage, and to be free." Brundage (11-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC) will play his part in making it a tough outing for Abdul-Malik, as he enters with high confidence following a first-round knockout of Julian Marquez in March. Abdul-Malik credits his opponent for being well-rounded, but not on his level. "I see him as good – he's a good fighter everywhere," Abdul-Malik said. "I match up against him very, very well. I'm just better than him in all areas, I feel. No arrogance, no cockiness – truly, from relevant experience from what I see in myself in the gym. From my prior experiences, from my prior fights, I feel that I am better."
