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Dricus du Plessis warns Islam Makhachev against middleweight move: ‘Good on him for trying’

Dricus du Plessis warns Islam Makhachev against middleweight move: 'Good on him for trying' Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has cautioned his fellow champion and current lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev against a…

Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has cautioned his fellow champion and current lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev against a rumored move to 185lbs to face off with him — claiming a fight between the duo right now makes very little sense.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight gold holder, is slated to make his return to action at UFC 312 next month, taking on former-foe and ex-titleholder, Sean Strickland in a rematch of their first pairing in January of last year, with the duo travelling to Sydney to rekindle their rivalry.

Sean Strickland offers challenge to Dricus du Plessis pre-UFC 312: 'Settle this sh*t like men'

Sidelined since last summer, Pretoria native, du Plessis most recently turned in an impressive title defense win over arch-rival and two-time champion, Israel Adesanya — stopping the City Kickboxing staple with a fourth round face crank submission win.

Dricus du Plessis confirms plan to fight Khamzat Chimaev next: 'He should get the next shot'

Dricus du Plessis rules out fight with Islam Makhachev soon

And off the back of his own impressive submission win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311 last weekend, the above-mentioned, Makhachev was touted as a massive threat to fighters — as high as the middleweight limit, however, du Plessis begs to differ.

Islam Makhachev opens as big betting favorite to beat Ilia Topuria after UFC 311 victory

“I guess, good on him (Islam Makhachev) for trying that,” Dricus du Plessis told FOX Sports Australia during a recent interview. “He won’t get that fight now – it wouldn’t make sense. But if there should ever be a time where there is nobody to challenge me, nobody for him to challenge. Yeah, cool.”

Dricus du Plessis reacts to Islam Makhachev saying he'd be willing to move up to 185 and fight him:

"I'll overpower [Islam] in any situation. I know he walks around heavy, but I walk around heavy. He's a big lightweight, I'm a big middleweight. There's a big difference there."… pic.twitter.com/y3MlZUKG66

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 24, 2025

“Look, he trains with 185ers in his gym,” Dricus du Plessis continued. “But there is only one world champion. So kudos to him for saying what he did, but it doesn’t really matter because I’ll overpower him in any situation. I know he walks around heavy. But I walk around heavy. He’s a big lightweight, I’m a big middleweight. There’s a big difference there.”

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…

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.

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.

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. 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

“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!

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.”

Charles Oliveira claims UFC ‘Disrespected’ him before title fight with Justin Gaethje: ‘It felt awkward’

Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has claimed he was “disrespected” by the promotion after his infamous scale…

Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has claimed he was “disrespected” by the promotion after his infamous scale mishap ahead of a slated title defense against Justin Gaethje back in 2022 — which saw him stripped of the crown.

Oliveira, the current number two ranked lightweight contender, most recently returned to winning-ways at UFC 309 back in November at Madison Square Garden, landing an impressive unanimous decision win over two-fight rival, Michael Chandler.

Charles Oliveira offers Max Holloway massive BMF title rematch: 'I want to fight'

And linked heavily in recent weeks with a title rematch with Islam Makhachev following UFC 311, Oliveira also suggested he would take on former featherweight champion and past-foe, Max Holloway in a symbolic BMF title rematch — potentially as soon as International Fight Week.

Charles Oliveira claims he was “disrespected” by UFC before Justin Gaethje fight

However, during a recent appearance on the JAXXON Podcast, Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira reflected on his UFC 274 title fight with former interim titleholder, Gaethje — in which he was stopped of the crown prior to the event after tipping the scales by .5 pounds after an issue with calibration of the equipment.

“What the UFC did was straight-up disrespectful;” Charles Oliveira explained. I always check my weight on Thursday, the night before. So, I already had the confidence… But I was already hearing rumors around… That the scale was calibrated. I was confident when I came back to the hotel, and I was 0.8lbs over… It felt like an awkward situation, and I felt disrespected because they took the weigh-in the night before when they were messing with the scale.”

“They should let me know; I felt disrespected by them not doing it,” Charles Oliveira said. “So, when they said that I had to lose that [weight], I came back to the hotel room and started doing what I needed to do to get some sweat off.”

Charles Oliveira urged to fight Justin Gaethje in rematch after UFC 294 title bout withdrawal — Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Headlining the event, Oliveira would turn in a first round win over Gaethje, submitting the Arizona striker with a dominant rear-naked choke win, after dropping the title challenger on numerous occasions in the first frame.

UFC urged to sign PFL star Paul Hughes: ‘Dana White should’ve gave him whatever he wanted’

Following his stunning title fight performance tonight, PFL star, Paul Hughes has been once more branded a misstep by…

Following his stunning title fight performance tonight, PFL star, Paul Hughes has been once more branded a misstep by a host of fans, pundits, and fighters alike — with current UFC lightweight contender, Matt Frevola claiming Dana White should’ve sanctioned a move for the Derryman.

Hughes, who made his return to action tonight in Dubai, took on unbeaten Bellator MMA lightweight kingpin, Usman Nurmagomedov — suffering a controversial majority decision (48-48, 49-46, 49-46) loss to the undefeated Russian in their heated title battle.

The loss saw Hughes’ seven-fight winning spree halted, having earned a shot at Nurmagomedov’s throne via an impressive decision win over former Bellator MMA featherweight titleholder and Grand Prix winner, A.J. McKee late last year.

UFC once more urged to consider move for Paul Hughes are star-making performance

And pushing Dagestan striker, Nurmagomedov the distance tonight over the course of five rounds in Dubai, Hughes was once more lauded with praise from the likes of former interim UFC lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier — and the above-mentioned, Frevola, who claimed the above-mentioned UFC boss, White should have broken the bank to sign him from Cage Warriors.

Dustin Poirier heaps praise on Paul Hughes after 'Incredible performance' in PFL win over A.J. McKee

“Dana should have gave Hughes whatever he wanted lol,” Matt Frevola posted on his official X account. “What a fight!!! Who do you guys think won???? Both guys looked amazing.”

“Paul Hughes is legit!!” Dustin Poirier posted.

Paul Hughes is legit!!

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 25, 2025

We NEED Paul Hughes in the UFC. pic.twitter.com/8tCqjGts4r

— TheFightVaults (@FightVaults) January 25, 2025

“The doctors were checking on Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes just stood there staring at him with blood coming down his face,” A user on X posted. “CINEMA.”

Staking his claim for a rematch in his return to action against Bellator MMA kingpin, Nurmagomedov, Hughes revealed he was “heartbroken” to find himself on the wrong side of tonight’s majority decision, with sights fixed on a re-run clash in Belfast later this annum.

Khabib Nurmagomedov ends feud with Ireland: ‘We love you, you are the biggest supporter of Palestine’

Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to have ended his lengthy feud with the Irish people tonight…

Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to have ended his lengthy feud with the Irish people tonight at PFL: Road to Dubai — claiming the world “loves” the country for their support of Palestine amid the ongoing conflict with neighboring, Israel.

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the banner of the UFC and an inductee to the promotion’s Hall of Fame, featured in the corner tonight of cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov — following a busy weekend earlier this month at UFC 311.

And coaching the unbeaten Bellator MMA lightweight titleholder en route to a majority decision win over Derry contender, Paul Hughes in a tightly-contested pairing in Dubai, Khabib Nurmagomedov added tonight’s win to his resume having guided Islam Makhachev to a submission over Renato Moicano last weekend.

Khabib Nurmagomedov praises Irish people for support of Palestine

Engaged in a long-time feud and war of words with former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor during their respective Octagon tenures in their 2018 lightweight title fight, Nurmagomedov attempted to squash his beef with the Irish nation following tonight’s event in the Middle East, praising their support for Palestine amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.

I just want to say one thing, one thing, it’s all these things beginning from my side and other guy [Conor McGregor] when we were fighting,” Khabib Nurmagomedov told following PFL: Road to Dubai. “But, don’t forget, Ireland is the biggest supporter in the world for Palestine. Don’t forget about this.We l ove you guys, you, your government, everybody. Here, inside the cage, only competition. MMA, all about respect. We love you guys because you guys support (0:25) our brother in Palestine. We love you guys. I just want to let you know.”

Taking on bitter rival, McGregor in a heated lightweight title fight in the main event of UFC 229, Nurmagomedov would successfully defend the crown for the first time in an eventual fourth round face crank submission win.

Conor McGregor bids to buy Khabib Nurmagomedov house amid tax issues in Russia

Usman Nurmagomedov retains title, takes home razor thin decision over Paul Hughes – PFL Road to Dubai Highlights

Russian standout, Usman Nurmagomedov remains the undisputed Bellator MMA lightweight titleholder tonight following his headliner at PFL Road to…

Russian standout, Usman Nurmagomedov remains the undisputed Bellator MMA lightweight titleholder tonight following his headliner at PFL Road to Dubai against Irish challenger, Paul Hughes — surviving some massive adversity to land a majority decision victory.

Nurmagomedov, who entered tonight’s grudge fight with surging Derry striker, Hughes — had previously racked up a series of consecutive title defense wins over Benson Henderson, and Alexander Shabily prior to tonight’s pairing in Dubai.

And taking a victory in the opening round in a tightly-contested back-and-forth in the opening five minutes, Nurmagomedov would be deducted a point in the third round after landing a third illegal groin strike on former Cage Warriors featherweight kingpin, Hughes.

Clashing heads in the fourth frame which resulted in a stoppage in the action for the cage-side physician to assess both fighters, Hughes seemed to be in for a shock victory until the fifth — with a previously fatigued, Usman Nurmagomedov caught a second wind and managed to dictate the pace of the final frame from the SmartCage fence.

And landing a majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46) win, Nurmagomedov improved his unbeaten professional record to 19-0(1) with the victory — handing Hughes his first professional defeat following a stunning seven-fight winning run.

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