Usman Nurmagomedov’s undefeated record was put under threat unlike ever before against Paul Hughes in Saturday’s PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai, but escaped with the belt.
Nurmagomedov (19-0) narrowly retained his lightweight championship as an extremely game Hughes (13-2) put on the performance of a lifetime at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. It wasn’t enough, though, and Nurmagomedov was awarded the majority decision victory.
It was arguably the best fight in PFL history, however, and with that came overwhelming praise from the MMA community.
Check below for the top social media reactions to Nurmagomedov beating Hughes.
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The main event is just MINUTES away! Don’t Miss Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW
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🇷🇺 OKKO pic.twitter.com/jTN9JugPpf— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 25, 2025
Paul Hughes is living in the moment as he makes the walk!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW
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🇷🇺 OKKO pic.twitter.com/j8RMwIVT0K— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 25, 2025
Usman Nurmagomedov makes the walk to defend the Bellator Lightweight Championship!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW
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🇷🇺 OKKO pic.twitter.com/csWPH277n7— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 25, 2025
Did anyone else jump out of their seat thinking it was a clean body shot finish? Tension is high. Round 1 continues….#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW
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🇷🇺 OKKO pic.twitter.com/wtHhMgCZO8— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 25, 2025
Careful first round. Nurmagomedov likely takes it on activity. He did a good job at least being consistent with his offense even though it wasn’t necessarily hugely damaging.
Hughes’s hand speed seems like it could give Usman problems, but he’s got to let his hands go.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) January 25, 2025
Paul Hughes is legit!!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 25, 2025
Paul Hughes battles the takedown attempt throwing hands!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW
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🇷🇺 OKKO pic.twitter.com/fktkfkhAXI— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 25, 2025
One each after two. Quality fight.
— Peter Carroll (@PetesyCarroll) January 25, 2025
Second low blow from Nurmagomedov in Round 2 leaves Hughes down and very hurt on the canvas. Usman gets docked a point. #PFLDubai
— Brian Campbell (@BCampbell) January 25, 2025
Gonna be interesting to watch Usman fighting with some serious urgency now
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 25, 2025
I have it 28-28 entering the championship rounds.
R1 10-9 Usman
R2 10-9 Hughes
R3 9-9 (Usman point deduction)Incredible fight thus far.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) January 25, 2025
Usman Nurmagomedov & Paul Hughes go back and forth in the 3rd! Championship Rounds coming up…#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW
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🇷🇺 OKKO pic.twitter.com/b27DbuWw7b— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 25, 2025
Fantastic matchup so far between Paul Hughes and Usman Nurmagomedov 👏👏
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) January 25, 2025
Usman needed damage to close this round to me. I’m gonna say it’s 2-2 but Usman is down 38-37 due to the R3 point deduction.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 25, 2025
Paul Hughes did what Conor McGregor couldn’t do. Congrats my guy. You won regardless of the outcome. Big ups to both men.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) January 25, 2025
Let these two fight foreverrrr @PFLMMA and btw… I think Hughes might have pulled off the upset.. super close and awesome fight! #roadtodubai https://t.co/NYq1DXiyWI
— Ian Parker (@IanParkerMMA) January 25, 2025
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!?!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW
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🇷🇺 OKKO pic.twitter.com/6evoCG5cgl— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 25, 2025
PFL #RoadToDubai results: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46)
Full coverage: https://t.co/xeoJhVrolk pic.twitter.com/T9ubWB4PJy
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 25, 2025
Hughes is game great scrap
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) January 25, 2025
WHAT A FIGHT!!!! THAT is what @PFLMMA needed to make some noise…. Round of applause gentleman!!
Now we need to keep fights rolling!!#PFLRoadToDubai #whatafight #PFL
— Corey ‘Overtime’ Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) January 25, 2025
Wow what a fight amazing performance from both guys usman won that
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 25, 2025
#AndSTILL Bellator Lightweight Champion USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW
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🇷🇺 OKKO pic.twitter.com/l45rwHW53C— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 25, 2025
Usman Nurmagomedov chats with Dan Hardy following his successful title defense!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW
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🇷🇺 OKKO pic.twitter.com/Kt1tWQAayS— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 25, 2025
Rightfully so Paul Hughes gets on the mic and calls for the rematch!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW
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🇷🇺 OKKO pic.twitter.com/ChVTTchCRk— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 25, 2025
Official #RoadtoDubai Decision: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46).
AND STILL BELLATOR LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION.#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW
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🇷🇺 OKKO pic.twitter.com/TLAULgrFvz— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) January 25, 2025
Tremendous fight and performance! Easy win for Hughes, he DOMINATED THAT FIGHT. And Umar exactly what it says on the tin, a Nurmagamedov. Runner, sprinter, bolter, scarper, scurrying “fighter”.
The Nurmagomedovs are not fighters. They are the most non fighting fighters out of… https://t.co/oHzDcJ0mF0— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 25, 2025
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai.
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