Paul Hughes to Challenge Usman Nurmagomedov for Bellator Lightweight Title

Paul Hughes is set to challenge Usman Nurmagomedov for the Russian’s Bellator lightweight championship on January 25 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Hughes has recorded only one defeat in his career, while Nurmagomedov remains undefeated across 18 professional fights. Hughes recently secured the most significant victory of his career in October, outstriking AJ McKee to win their lightweight bout by split decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 27-year-old Derry fighter was considered an underdog entering the contest against McKee, a former Bellator featherweight champion. The upcoming Hughes-Nurmagomedov bout, officially titled the Champions Series World Title, signifies the commencement of a multi-year partnership between the Professional Fighters League (PFL), the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and the Dubai Sports Council (DSC). “It’s great to have a quick turnaround [from the McKee fight] – it’s what I wanted,” Hughes told BBC Sport NI. He further stated, “I went to the venue yesterday. It’s a huge arena – it’s unbelievable.” Hughes also commented on the event’s historical significance: “This [PFL] is the first global MMA organisation to come here, so it’s the first one in the history of Dubai. There’s been small local shows but this is history. “It’s huge for PFL Bellator and it’s huge for Dubai and certainly a huge thing for me, so the magnitude of this fight is huge.” Hughes, a former featherweight champion in the UK-based promotion Cage Warriors, will be competing in only his second PFL bout, having defeated Bobby King in June. His professional record stands at 13 wins and one defeat. Russia’s Nurmagomedov, who is the cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, successfully defended his Bellator lightweight title in September. He defeated Alexander Shabily by unanimous decision in California. The 26-year-old had made his return to the cage after serving a six-month ban imposed by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) for failing a drug test in October 2023. This victory extended Nurmagomedov’s unbeaten record to 18 fights, comprising no defeats and one no contest.