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Morning Report: Khabib Nurmagomedov praises Paul Hughes, Hughes calls for Usman Nurmagomedov rematch

LaPhezz January 27, 2025
Alexander K. Lee https://ift.tt/fd9jWSQ
Usman Nurmagomedov, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Javier Mendez | Jose Peñuela, PFL

Khabib Nurmagomedov has had an eventful two weeks, capped off by another one of his team’s fighters nearly losing a championship bout.

“The Eagle” cornered three title fights across UFC 311 and PFL Dubai, with Team Nurmagomedov fighters Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov seeing mixed results in Los Angeles, and Usman Nurmagomedov defending his lightweight belt in a close fight against Paul Hughes in PFL’s main event Saturday.

Usman stayed undefeated at 19-0 (1 NC) after claiming a majority decision, but the verdict wasn’t without controversy. Fighters praised both men while also debating the scoring, and Hughes himself raised his issues with the judging.

It’s all respect between the two camps though, and Khabib reached out Sunday via social media to invite Hughes and his family to visit Dagestan.

“Thank you for the fight [Hughes] and for the experience, I invite you and your whole team and family to Dagestan, any time you want, believe me you will like it and your arrival will serve as a good example for many young generations,” Nurmagomedov wrote.

Hughes responded, appreciating Khabib’s gesture but suggesting a rematch with Usman needs to happen first.

“Thank you [Khabib], I have great respect for you, your team and your nation,” Hughes wrote. “I would be honored to take you up on this offer someday and then return the favor in Ireland. But please, only after I get to rematch Usman.”

Hughes earned his title shot with a split decision win over Bellator great A.J. McKee at PFL Battle of the Giants this past October. It remains to be seen if his strong performance against Nurmagomedov merits an immediate rematch or if he’ll have to fight his way back for another crack at the unbeaten champion.

TOP STORIES

Grades. MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew provides instant grades for the GFL’s inaugural draft.

Robbery? Paul Hughes doesn’t agree with how the judges saw his fight with Usman Nurmagomedov.

That guy. Jeremy Stephens didn’t just beat Eddie Alvarez in the KnuckleMania 5 main event, he also faced off with longtime nemesis Conor McGregor.

Legends. Khabib Nurmagomedov and Fedor Emelianenko shared a moment backstage at PFL Dubai.

Champion. Ben Rothwell is the new BKFC heavyweight king after clobbering Mick Terrill.

Love. John Garbarino picked up a big knockout and successfully proposed to his girlfriend in the BKFC ring.

Please. Dricus du Plessis isn’t playing along with Sean Strickland’s trash talk.

Unstoppable. Robelis Despaigne finished another opponent in seconds at Karate Combat 52.

VIDEO STEW

PFL Dubai post-show.

Full highlights from PFL’s thrilling Philadelphia debut.

ICYMI: The truly unbelievable GFL Draft.

Re-watch the intense first fight between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland.

Michael Bisping sits down with veteran referee Marc Goddard.

FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR

Severe MMA. Breaking down Paul Hughes’ valiant effort against Usman Nurmagomedov and the rest of PFL Dubai.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Tony Ferguson is GFL all the way.

No, sir, thank you.

Congrats!

Bones turned to jelly.

A real meeting of the minds.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Marvin Vettori (19-7-1) vs. Roman Dolidze (14-3); UFC Vegas 104, March 15

Virna Jandiroba (21-3) vs. Yan Xiaonan (19-4, 1 NC); UFC 314, April 12

Dominick Reyes (14-4) vs. Nikita Krylov (30-9); UFC 314, April 12

FINAL THOUGHTS

Takeaways from the weekend:

  • BKFC continues to be the No. 2 fight promotion in North America after delivering a KnuckleMania event packed with highlights and star turns.
  • PFL Dubai didn’t have much buzz around it outside of the main event, but Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes lived up to the hype and we have another Fight of the Year front-runner already.
  • I still don’t know what GFL is.

On to UFC Saudi Arabia!

EXIT POLL

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.



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