Tag: Road to Dubai

What did Khabib Nurmagomedov Tell Usman In-Between Rounds? The Champ Reveals “Show to Me Your Heart”

What did Khabib Nurmagomedov Tell Usman In-Between Rounds? The Champ Reveals "Show to Me Your Heart"What exactly did Khabib Nurmagomedov tell his cousin during Saturday’s PFL Road to Dubai headliner? Reigning Bellator lightweight titleholder…

What did Khabib Nurmagomedov Tell Usman In-Between Rounds? The Champ Reveals "Show to Me Your Heart"

What exactly did Khabib Nurmagomedov tell his cousin during Saturday’s PFL Road to Dubai headliner?

Reigning Bellator lightweight titleholder Usman Nurmagomedov faced his toughest test to date, going five hard rounds with Irish sensation Paul Hughes in the first PFL event of 2025. After 25 minutes of intense back-and-forth action, Nurmagomedov overcame the adversity and emerged victorious, keeping both his title and his undefeated record intact.

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Following the fight, Usman offered some insight into the words that Khabib told him as the fight seemingly started to slip away.

“Yes, he said, ‘You show to me your heart. I like, I like this. This is what you need.’ And I said, ‘It’s not for what I need. I was focused on finishing.’ He said, ‘No, no, no. This is experience. This is what you need.’ I agree with that,” Usman Nurmagomedov said during a post-fight interview.

Usman Nurmagomedov ultimately left with a majority decision victory after one judge ruled the bout as a draw. The somewhat controversial decision moved the 26-year-old Dagestani star to 19-0 in his professional mixed martial arts career.

Usman Nurmagomedov says no to immediate rematch with Paul Hughes

Given the close nature of the contest, some fight fans quickly began clamoring for an immediate rematch between the two. However, the Dagestani has little interest in that, suggesting the Irishman needs to go out and get a few more wins before earning another opportunity at the gold.

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“No, he have to earn with a couple two, three, four fights in [PFL],” Nurmagomedov said in a backstage interview after the event. “He had only two fights and they gave him title shot. But Paul Hughes, this is all my respect to this guy. I think if he even go to the tournament for $1 million, he 100 percent [has a] chance to take this belt. Then, we can talk rematches.”

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The Notorious Reacts: Conor McGregor’s Fierce Take on the Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes Decision

The Notorious Reacts: Conor McGregor’s Fierce Take on the Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes DecisionIf Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov was Ireland vs. Dagestan part one, Saturday’s entertaining five-round war between Usman Nurmagomedov…

The Notorious Reacts: Conor McGregor’s Fierce Take on the Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes Decision

If Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov was Ireland vs. Dagestan part one, Saturday’s entertaining five-round war between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes was the sequel.

PFL’s Road to Dubai event was headlined by an intense counter between Nurmagomedov, the reigning Bellator lightweight champion, and Hughes, a 13-win veteran fighting out of Belfast. Nurmagomedov went into the bout as a sizeable favorite to retain his title, but much to the delight of fight fans, Hughes gave the Russian everything he had for five rounds.

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In the eyes of many, it was enough to dethrone Nurmagomedov and hand him his first career loss. Unfortunately, the judges didn’t agree. One official ruled the 25-minute affair a draw while the other two saw it in favor of Nurmagomedov, leaving the lightweight title around his waist and handing Hughes his second career loss.

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Needless to say, McGregor, who has been an outspoken supporter of Hughes for years, was not happy with the decision and took the opportunity to once again shred the Nurmagomedov family on social media.

“Tremendous fight and performance! Easy win for Hughes, he DOMINATED THAT FIGHT,” McGregor wrote on X. “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 Dagestan and all time. Run away around the cage and shoot ass bitches.Dagestan is better than the Nurmagomedovs and that is a FACT!

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Paul Hughes Echoes Conor McGregor’s statement

Hughes agreed with the former two-division UFC champion, calling the judge’s scorecards “ridiculous” after having a little time to process things.

“We all thought I won that one,” Hughes said post-fight on Instagram. “I think the judges’ scorecards were pretty ridiculous. But I’ll watch it back with a clear mind. I’m just judging from the energy of the arena and everyone surrounding the cage that thought it was mine. I’m not going to make excuses, though. I should’ve pushed harder. And I will the next time. I know we’ll fight again.”

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‘Did What McGregor Couldn’t’ – Jake Paul, Belal Muhammad, Dustin Poirier & Others React As Paul Hughes Pushes Usman Nurmagomedov To The Limit

In what is certainly going to be an early nominee for the 2025 Fight of the Year in MMA, Usman Nurmagomedov will likely end up as the final defending Bellator champion in the brand’s history. Nurmagomedov narrowly retained the Bellator lightweight title in a five-round war with Paul Hughes in the main event of the […]

In what is certainly going to be an early nominee for the 2025 Fight of the Year in MMA, Usman Nurmagomedov will likely end up as the final defending Bellator champion in the brand’s history.

Nurmagomedov narrowly retained the Bellator lightweight title in a five-round war with Paul Hughes in the main event of the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai event at the Coca-Cola Arena on Jan. 25.

The Dagestani started aggressively, utilizing a variety of kicks to test his range before putting his striking on full display. Hughes found his rhythm and picked up his pace in the second, mixing initial strikes and counters. The champ kept up his kicks and clinch attempts, but he struggled to secure a takedown early. Both fighters traded combinations, with Nurmagomedov focused on knees and elbows as the challenger ripped to the body. The second round proved to arguably be the most difficult to score.

The fight was marred a bit by groin strikes during the third round, which resulted in the defending champion being docked a point. The Russian, however, rebounded with a takedown and controlling the action against the fence. Hughes kept active before both men’s output increased in a big way during the fourth round, including a ferocious exchanging in the final minute.

Nurmagomedov looked to use his grappling more in the final round, while simultaneously landing hard with knees on Hughes’ body. But the Irishman continued to push forward, landing combinations when possible before swinging wildly and taking over in the fight’s final, dramatic 30 seconds.

One judge scored the fight a 47-47 draw, while the other two gave 48-46 scorecards, giving Nurmagomedov the win.

Usman Nurmagomedov Defeats Paul Hughes In Early Fight Of The Year War

Nurmagomedov became champion initially with a win over Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 288. His title defenses prior to tonight included a win over Benson Henderson, a no contest against Brent Primus, and a victory over Alexander Shabliy.

The result in Dubai snaps a seven-fight win streak for Hughes. He earned a title shot off wins over Bobby King last summer and AJ McKee at the PFL: Battle of the Giants card in October.

‘We Need Him vs. Ngannou’ – Fans React As Ex-Bellator Champ Vadim Nemkov Submits Tim Johnson In Final Fight Of PFL Contract

What comes next for Vadim Nemkov is uncertain, but it can still include great opportunities following a win over Tim Johnson in the co-main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai on Jan. 25. Nemkov made things look easily, landing several head kicks on Johnson that busted him open across the center of his […]

What comes next for Vadim Nemkov is uncertain, but it can still include great opportunities following a win over Tim Johnson in the co-main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai on Jan. 25.

Nemkov made things look easily, landing several head kicks on Johnson that busted him open across the center of his head. The Russian was able to get a takedown and worked over his American foe against the fence. After dragging him away from the fence, Johnson attempted to power up.

The former Bellator light heavyweight champion, however, answered by wrapping his legs around Johnson and bringing him back down, flattening the UFC veteran and scoring the rear-naked choke victory.

Vadim Nemkov Easily Submits Late-Notice Opponent Tim Johnson, Fans Ponder Ngannou Showdown

Nemkov is now 2-0 at heavyweight after defeating Bruno Cappelozza last February at the PFL vs. Bellator card. Nemkov is now a free agent after fighting out his PFL (formerly Bellator) contract.

Jonhson, meanwhile, has now lost back-to-back fights after three straight wins.

Vadim Nemkov Chokes Out Tim Johnson in First Round – PFL Road to Dubai Highlights

Vadim Nemkov Extends Undefeated Streak to 14 with Quick-Fire Submission Over Tim Johnson - PFL Road to Dubai HighlightsVadim Nemkov made quick work of Tim Johnson in the PFL Road to Dubai co-main event. Nemkov caught Johnson…

Vadim Nemkov Extends Undefeated Streak to 14 with Quick-Fire Submission Over Tim Johnson - PFL Road to Dubai Highlights

Vadim Nemkov made quick work of Tim Johnson in the PFL Road to Dubai co-main event.

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Nemkov caught Johnson early with a glancing head kick that busted open the Minnesota native. Johnson attempted to respond with a big right hook, but that allowed Nemkov to change levels and put Johnson on the mat.

As Johnson muscled his way back up, Nemkov hopped on his back and locked in both hooks. Johnson posted himself on both arts, freeing up his neck for Nemkov to cinch in a rear-naked choke and force the tap out just past the three-minute mark of the opening round.

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Official Result: Vadim Nemkov def. Tim Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:08 or Round 1.

check out highlights from Vadim Nemkov vs. Tim Johnson at PFL Road to Dubai:

‘I Have Never Seen That’ – Brutal Injury At PFL Road To Dubai Champions Series Event Has Fans Grimacing

Just two fights into the PFL’s 2025 campaign and we may have had our first nominee for Gruesome Injury of the Year in this sport, seen in Haider Khan’s first-round victory over Mostafa Nada. The two did plenty of circling around the cage during the fight, with Khan keeping distance to avoid Nada’s power and […]

Just two fights into the PFL’s 2025 campaign and we may have had our first nominee for Gruesome Injury of the Year in this sport, seen in Haider Khan’s first-round victory over Mostafa Nada.

The two did plenty of circling around the cage during the fight, with Khan keeping distance to avoid Nada’s power and setup kicks. One shot, however, brought the fight to a screeching halt.

Khan threw a front kick, which Nada looked to block low. When he did this, one could see the impact of Khan’s shin landing causing Nada’s arm to break. The Saudi Arabian immediately felt the injury and the referee quickly stepped in to stop the fight, giving the Englishman the win.

Haider Khan Gets Win At PFL Champions Series Event After Kick Breaks Opponent’s Arm

This snaps a five-fight win streak Nada had coming into this fight, which included starting his PFL run at 2-0.

Khan, who made his PFL debut in this fight, now moves to 9-1.