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Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes 2 Preview & Picks – Usman To Retain At PFL Champions Series 3
- Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes 2 picks for Friday, October 3
- PFL Champions Series 3 is taking place at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai
- Preview, predictions, stats & form
Usman Nurmagomedov (Getty Images)
- Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes 2 Preview & Picks
- Head To Head
- Usman Nurmagomedov Form
- Paul Hughes Form
Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes 2 Preview & Picks
Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes 2 Preview & Picks
Usman Nurmagomedov is tipped to retain his lightweight title in Dubai.
Paul Hughes gave him all he could handle in the first fight, but we expect Nurmagomedov to make the necessary adjustments and grind out another decision win here.
- Usman Nurmagomedov has a perfect 19-0 record
- The previous meeting between the two men went the distance
- Both of Paul Hughes’ career defeats have come by decision
- 4 of Usman Nurmagomedov’s last 5 fights have gone the distance
Head To Head
- Usman Nurmagomedov won by majority decision when they met in January 2025
Usman Nurmagomedov Form
Usman Nurmagomedov is the current PFL lightweight champion with a career record of 19-0 (8 KOs, 6 Subs) with 1 no contest.
Nurmagomedov signed with Bellator in 2021 and wasted little time in climbing to the summit in the lightweight division.
He beat Mike Hamel by decision in his debut, and backed that up with a first-round knockout of Manny Muro.
The 27-year-old Dagestani then submitted Patrik Pietila and Chris Gonzalez in the first round to secure a shot at the 155lb crown.
Nurmagomedov was able to dethrone Patricky Pitbull by decision that night, and in his first defence of the crown he submitted former UFC star Benson Henderson in the first round.
His next success, a decision win over Brent Primus, was later overturned due to a failed drug test, but the Russian put that behind him a year later with a points win over Alexandr Shabily.
He then followed up that victory with a controversial majority decision win over Paul Hughes earlier this year, which resulted in him being promoted to PFL lightweight champion after Bellator was shut down.
Paul Hughes Form
Paul Hughes is a former lightweight challenger with a professional record of 14-2 (7 KOs, 3 Subs).
Hughes made a name for himself on the domestic scene as he compiled an 11-1 record fighting under the Cage Warriors banner in the UK and Ireland.
That earned him a spot on the Bellator Champions Series 3 card in June of last year, and he wasted little time in making an impression as he knocked out Bobby Green in the second.
The 28-year-old, who was born in Australia but grew up in Northern Ireland, then got the better of AJ McKee over three rounds to earn a shot at the Bellator lightweight title.
Hughes was able to push Nurmagomedov to the limit in that fight, but his bid to become champion ended in disappointment as he dropped a majority decision.
He rebounded back in May though, as he took just 42 seconds to knock out Bruno Miranda and set up this rematch with the champion.
Verdict
Paul Hughes gave Usman Nurmagomedov all he could handle, but did he waste his big chance?
That is a massive question mark surrounding this fight, and the reason we are leaning towards Nurmagomedov making adjustments and winning this rematch.
That is a massive question mark surrounding this fight, and the reason we are leaning towards Nurmagomedov making adjustments and winning this rematch.
Usman Nurmagomedov
Winner
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