Hughes says the fight played out how he thought. Says he thought he won tonight but he left something in the tank and should've pushed even harder. Says he knows they'll fight again.
Yeah, they should fight again now. Run this immediate rematch for sure. This was the best fight of 2025.
Hughes calls for the rematch in Belfast, then shouts out Dagestan. So much respect from everyone.
Usman shouts out Dubai and then immediately gives Paul Hughes his props.
"Paul Hughes you are tough. I underestimated this guy."
Then Khabib squashes the Irish beef by reminding everyone that Ireland is the biggest supporter of Palestine.
Back to Usman who again credits Hughes, saying he's tough and very strong, with great wrestling defense. He then admits that it was a mistake to underestimate Hughes and says he's never taken as much damage as with Hughes.
"I think I jumped to next level because of him. He made me better."
A lot of respect here.
Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via majority decision 47-47, 48-46, 48-46
Win or lose this is a coming out party for Paul Hughes. Young man is game as hell.
Good jab from Hughes to start things off. He looks like lightning is about to shoot out of him right now, he's so amped up. Twitchy. But neither man commits to much in the opening minute.
Nurmagomedov lands a few more kicks. Hughes chearges in for a leaping 1-2 and that was a mistake as Nurmagomedov slid off and got in on the hips. Hughes to the fence but Nurmagomedov holding the waist. Hughes with knees down so Nurmagomedov puts a bunch of knees into his legs and butt. The crowd is chanting with every knee.
Hughes finally stands but drops right back to a knee as he keeps eating knees. Now he's up and turns and breaks the grip. Nurmagomedov sticks with him though and gets a takedown. Hughes scrambles right back up but Nurmagomedov has the waist along the fence still.
Hughes hits a switch and gets to space on the scramble. Hughes advancing and Nurmagomedov changes levels. Hughes stuffs it but takes the clinch and then Nurmagomedov turns him. 90 seconds left.
Hughes turns him then his good body shot. Clinch and more body work from Hughes. He's stepping on the gas here but Nurmagomedov lands a good 1-2 and backs Hughes up. Knee from Nurmagomedov. Hughes returns fires. All to play for here!
Good right hand from Hughes then body work. Usman grabs him, Hughes punches, Nurmagomedov with a takedown. Fence wrestling and switch from Hughes. They swing away until the final bell.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Nurmagomedov, 47-47 overall.
Nurmagomedov looked TIRED in his corner while Hughes still seems perfectly fine. This could become a cardio battle soon.
But once the fight starts, Nurmagomedov is right back to work. Hughes stalking and waiting in the center for big opportunities. Nurmagomedov sticking a jab and moving around. Hughes still waiting.
Uppercut from Hughes as Nurmagomedov changed levels. Still not a ton from either this round. More kicks from Nurmagomedov but Hughes is just cutting. Lands a right hand there and then a jab but Nurmagomedov jabs back. Uppercut for Hughes. Nurmagomedov with a low kick and a jab. This is the fight now.
Big right hand from Hughes on a cross counter. Nurmagomedov is walking into some of these with naked attacks. Hughes with a body kick. Nurmagomedov chances levels and oh now, there's a clash of heads. Hughes is bleeding from the forehead and Nurmagomedov caught it right on the temple in a bad way. He got the worst of that by far and he's taking some time.
Hughes is ready to go despite the blood but they're giving Nurmagomedov time to recover. He seems a bit dazed, honestly. Blinking a lot. And the Irish fans are chanting in the stands. Nurmagomedov taking his time. The momentum is firmly with Hughes right now as he's staring down Nurmagomedov like he's a free meal. Now Hughes tells the crowd to get loud as we wait for a final call from Nurmagomedov. He gives the nod and it's back to business.
Hughes with some aggression to start and lands a left hook but Nurmagomedov shots a double and finishes it in the center, getting Hughes down this time. Nurmagomedov in the guard and lands an elbow. The Irish fans are livid. Hughes flashing hands from the bottom as Nurmagomedov tries to pass. Elbow. Nurmagomedov can't clear guard so its abit of lay and pray but with short time both spazz out and Nurmagomedov lands a few elbows.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Hughes, 38-37 Hughes overall.
Nurmagomedov may have some real problems here. He's leg looks a bit shakey in there and Hughes is brimming with confidence.
But Nurmagomedov lands a good low kick immediately. And he's keeping a good pace to start this round. Hughes's legs are also chewed up, so there's that.
Hughes hits the body well. then Nurmagomedov counters with a clean 1-2 and drops levels but Hughes hops out of it. He's takedown defense has been exceptional.
Nurmagomedov throws another kick and it goes low so another break in the action but Hughes wants no break, right back into it.
Hughes bleeding from the bridge of the nose now but he's the once holding the center. Beautiful 1-2 into a takedown from Nurmagomedov but Hughes spins out of it and a kick from Nurmagomedov lands low again! this is a bad one and we're getting a break as Hughes is now lying down.
And a point deduction! WOW. Correct call but we never see that happen. And we're back to business.
Things heated on the restart now and Nurmagomedov drops down for a takedown, Hughes defends but this time Nurmagomedov runs him through with it! Hughes to the fence and stands but Nurmagomedov takes him down again, and again! Hughes back up immediately though and in the clinch Nurmagomedov lands a pair of nice elbows before they break to space.
Hughes advancing and eats a right hand as he steps in. Hughes with a good left hook and he keeps coming. Another level change, Hughes defends and then Nurmagomedov lands a knee on the clinch. Hughes rips a few hooks into the body. He's making Nurmagomedov work constantly. No daylight.
Pair of jumping knees from both but Nurmagomedov's is the one that lands. Hughes rips a big shot to the body inside and that's been money for him.
MMA Fighting scores the round 9-9, 28-28 overall.
Neither man asserted themselves too much in that first round. Chess match.
Both out in orthodox to start this round and it seems like when he's in orthodox, Nurmagomedov is looking to punch more. But he switches frequently.
Nurmagomedov right back to work with the kicks but Hughes goes for a switch kick of his own and catches Nurmagomedov on one leg, knocking him back. Nurmagomedov shakes it off and then shoots a double but Hughes stuffs it. And Hughes gaining confidence and advancing now.
Nurmagomedov moving away and kicking. A collision and Hughes lands a good left hook but Nurmagomedov clinches and he's looking for a trip. Hughes defending beautifully though, moving and refusing to go down. Now Hughes takes inside position as Nurmagomedov grabs a Thai plum and Hughes rips to the body.
Nurmagomedov flips position along the fence and lands a few knees to the body. Then an elbow on the break misses and Hughes returns fire but fails. Nurmagomedov changes levels against but Hughes stuffs it and then hits the body when Nurmagomedov tries to clinch the head again.
Good right hand from Nurmagomedov lands. Best punch of the fight as he steps in but Hughes ate it well. Hughes pressuring backward and he's landing his own calf kick now. Another level change from Nurmagomedov but Hughes isn't allowing this at all. Nurmagomedov goes to a knee then a right hand but Hughes returns better.
OH! Really nice combination from Nurmagomedov. 6-piece and lands most of it but Hughes smiles it off and Nurmagomedov looks a bit winded in there and his leg may be compromised.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Hughes, 19-19 overall.
Nurmagomedov out in southpaw with Hughes in orthodox and Nurmagomedov leads with a probing body kick, then switches stances. Nurmagomedov continues to test the waters with light kicks, switching stances. Hughes just waiting, reading.
Nurmagomedov with more kicks, starting to commit a little more. Hughes is blocking many of them but he's yet to throw any offense through 90 seconds. Nurmagomedov is setting the range well as Hughes tries to corner him.
Very slow-paced from both men here. Hughes is yet to commit to anything and Nurmagomedov just keeps tapping away with the kicks t body and legs. He's opening up a little more now with those kicks, scoring often. Hughes is unperturbed thus far.
Nurmagomedov using his jab when Hughes does close the distance and then a kick from him strays low and we get a break in the action. Hughes takes a moment then we restart.
Hughes lands his best shot upon the restart with a combination that finishes to the body but his legs are starting to show damage from these kicks. And Nurmagomedov keeps going with them.
Nurmagomedov with a leading hoo kick. He's having fun out there and then Hughes throws a teep that goes low so another break in the action. One groin shot a piece now. Similarly, Nurmagomedov takes a moment and we're back to the action.
Good left hand from Nurmagomedov and Hughes just misses a big counter. Nurmagomedov stabs a few more kicks in. Nurmagomedov winning the round cleanly though he hasn't landed anything major, just constant work. Hughes lands a body shot but too little too late and they start chatting to each other before the horn.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov is 2 years younger, 2 inches taller, and has a 2-inch reach advantage. He's also a considerable betting favorite over Hughes.
The crowd is very lively for this main event as the announcer gets things going. Hughes is met with loud boos but he placidly accepts them. Nurmagomedov receives raucous cheers and he stoically accepts it all.
The two men meet in the middle for final instructions and tough gloves. It's go time!