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UFC- Khabib Nurmagomedov apologies for post-fight melee after defeating Conor McGregor<\/p>\nUFC- Khabib Nurmagomedov apologies for post-fight melee after defeating Conor McGregor<\/p>\n
One of the most-anticipated fights of the year<\/a> takes place tonight, as Paul Hughes<\/a> and Usman Nurmagomedov<\/a> clash over the PFL<\/a> lightweight title for the second time<\/a>.<\/p>\n In January, Nurmagomedov \u2013 a cousin of UFC legend Khabib \u2013 retained the belt with a narrow decision win over Hughes<\/a>, who immediately turned his attention to a rematch. <\/p>\n With Nurmagomedov out of action, Hughes opted to return to the cage<\/a> in May and stopped Bruno Miranda in the first minute<\/a>, on home soil in Belfast, no less. That set up the Northern Irishman, who also carries the Irish Tricolour flag<\/a>, for a rematch with Nurmagomedov this weekend, as the rivals return to Dubai.<\/p>\n It was there that Russia\u2019s Nurmagomedov, 27, won a majority decision against \u201cBig News\u201d, 28, despite being docked a point for repeated low blows. A clash of heads was another element to the drama of the thrilling clash, which has fans excited for tonight\u2019s main event. <\/p>\n \u201c\u200aI think whenever you fight somebody, especially over five rounds, you garner a certain level of respect,\u201d Hughes told The Independent this week, playing down the echoes of Khabib vs Conor McGregor. \u201cI really respect him,\u201d Usman added. \u201cI respect his skills. He\u2019s a good fighter \u2013 the first time, I underestimated him.\u201d<\/p>\n Follow live updates and results from Hughes vs Nurmagomedov 2, below.<\/p>\n Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov 2 live<\/a>Also this weekend: UFC 320 \u2013 all you need to know<\/p>\n The other big event in the MMA world this weekend is UFC 320, which takes place in Las Vegas on Saturday night.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s all you need to know.<\/p>\n Alex Pattle3 October 2025 19:12<\/p>\n <\/a>Another prelim result in the books at PFL Dubai!<\/p>\n Florim Zendeli def. Omar El Dafrawy via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)<\/p>\n Zendeli survives a nasty cut, which spilled floods of blood, to retain his European welterweight title!<\/p>\n Alex Pattle3 October 2025 19:08<\/p>\n <\/a>Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov 2 live: Khabib arrives<\/p>\n Alex Pattle3 October 2025 19:05<\/p>\n <\/a>INTERVIEW: Hughes and Usman on echoes of Khabib vs McGregor<\/p>\n More from Will Castle\u2019s interview with Hughes this week:<\/p>\n So, the pride of Irish MMA will take on one of Dagestan\u2019s many immovable objects. We\u2019ve been here before; there is an obvious comparison to make with one of the biggest bouts in the sport\u2019s history.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t talk about this guy,\u201d was Usman\u2019s blunt response when I asked him if he saw parallels between his rivalry and the one that consumed his cousin seven years ago. It was unequivocal and admittedly fair. They are not fighting someone else\u2019s battle; this is their own war. And in many ways, they are repairing the damage done in 2018.<\/p>\n Class has prevailed throughout the story written by Hughes and Usman \u2013 a far cry from the volatility between Khabib and McGregor. \u201c\u200aI think whenever you fight somebody, especially over five rounds, you garner a certain level of respect,\u201d Hughes said. It\u2019s a sentiment echoed by his opponent. <\/p>\n \u201cI really respect him,\u201d Usman added. \u201cI respect his skills. He\u2019s a good fighter \u2013 the first time, I underestimated him.\u201d But the impact of their rivalry goes beyond the two fighters.<\/p>\n Alex Pattle3 October 2025 18:59<\/p>\n <\/a>INTERVIEW: Hughes on carrying the torch for Irish MMA \u2013 against another Nurmagomedov<\/p>\n Here\u2019s an excerpt from Will Castle\u2019s interview with Paul Hughes ahead of tonight\u2019s main event:<\/p>\n Paul Hughes<\/a> is staring down the barrel of a career culmination. \u201cThis is my life\u2019s work. This is everything.\u201d He is one half of the most anticipated rematch<\/a> in MMA<\/a>, squaring off against the undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov<\/a> with PFL<\/a> lightweight gold on the line. Their first bout back in January, which went to Usman by the way of majority decision, was an instant fight of the year contender. On Friday night, Hughes is out to settle the score.<\/p>\n Hughes was left heartbroken by the scorecards when the pair first locked horns. \u201cI feel like I definitely did enough to win, and I feel like I should have got my hand raised,\u201d he told The Independent. He isn\u2019t letting old wounds dominate his psyche, however. \u201cAt this point, I don\u2019t give a flying f***. I get to fight him in a week.\u201d<\/p>\n Usman admitted that he underestimated Hughes going into the first fight, saying, \u201cThat was almost a big mistake,\u201d but keeping hold of his belt by the skin of his teeth \u2013 despite being deducted a point for an accidental headbutt. The cousin of former UFC<\/a> lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov<\/a> is still oozing with confidence, stating that the Russian entering the cage in Dubai will be unrecognisable to the fighter that fought eight months ago. <\/p>\n \u201cFor this fight, I can only say one thing. He will have to be ready because I\u2019m coming. This is not the same Usman who was in January. This is a different Usman.\u201d<\/p>\n Alex Pattle3 October 2025 18:44<\/p>\n <\/a>Another prelim result in the books at PFL Dubai!<\/p>\n Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Luann Sardinha via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)<\/p>\n Alex Pattle3 October 2025 18:36<\/p>\n <\/a>Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov 2 live: Fight card in full<\/p>\n Subject to change; \u2018C\u2019 denotes champion<\/p>\n Usman Nurmagomedov (C) vs Paul Hughes (lightweight title)<\/p>\n Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (C) vs Corey Anderson (light-heavyweight title)<\/p>\n Magomed Magomedov vs Sergio Pettis (bantamweight)<\/p>\n Archie Colgan vs Jay-Jay Wilson (catchweight)<\/p>\n Jack Cartwright vs Caolan Loughran (catchweight)<\/p>\n Pouya Rahmani vs Slim Trabelsi (heavyweight)<\/p>\n Omar El Dafrawy vs Florim Zendeli (welterweight)<\/p>\n Luann Sardinha vs Mirafzal Akhtamov (lightweight)<\/p>\n Takeshi Izumi def. Vinicius Cenci via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)<\/p>\n Makkasharip Zaynukov def. John Mitchell via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)<\/p>\n Jarrah Al-Selawe def. Gregory Babene via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)<\/p>\n Alex Pattle3 October 2025 18:29<\/p>\n <\/a>Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov 2 live: Main-event odds<\/p>\n Usman Nurmagomedov \u2013 8\/13<\/p>\n The Independent vets betting sites for usability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.<\/p>\n Alex Pattle3 October 2025 18:14<\/p>\n![\"Paul](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2195930533.jpeg\")
Paul Hughes (left) and Usman Nurmagomedov during their first fight (Getty Images)<\/p>\n