Dan Hardy agrees with Paul Hughes on his future after ‘greatest fight in PFL history’ with Usman Nurmagomedov
Dan Hardy has admitted the best main event in PFL history must be repeated as a homecoming for Paul Hughes. Hardy is a former UFC title contender having fought Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight strap in 2010. Nurmagomedov is still undefeated with a 19-0 professional MMA recordgetty He has since joined the PFL where he acts as a pundit and their Director of Fighter Operations in Europe. The 42-year-old was on commentary duty for Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Saturday night. Nurmagomedov narrowly retained his lightweight title in a thrilling contest as Hughes put on the performance of a lifetime. However, it wasn’t enough for the Irish star, who fell to a majority decision defeat. After the bout, Hughes, 27, looked unsurprisingly deflated, but admitted there was only one option going forward. “I really thought I was going to win tonight,” he said in his post-fight interview. “I’m heartbroken here if I’m honest…I just can’t wait to see what’s in the future, we HAVE to do the rematch in Belfast! “It has to be in Belfast, we have to bring it back to Ireland.” Hardy agreed with ‘Big News’ and couldn’t hold back his excitement for what could be an even better rematch. “Belfast is going to be a banger isn’t it?” he told talkSPORT MMA. Hughes is adamant the pair must have it out again in Belfastgetty Hardy agreed, saying it’s always ‘electric’ in the capital of Northern Irelandtalksport mma “I can’t wait. Last time we went to Belfast the atmosphere was amazing. “I’ve been over there for the Belfast Giants ice hockey as well and that’s always electric, but we’ve got to bring this show to Belfast.” Hughes’ clash with Nurmagomedov was an early Fight of the Year candidate as both men made one another perform at their very best. Nurmagomedov set the tone early, attacking the legs, head and body of Hughes, who remained composed as he tried to implement his own game plan. In the second round, the intensity went up a notch as Hughes made his Russian counterpart wobble with a kick. The champion attempted to utilise his superior wrestling skills to bring the fight to the canvas, but Hughes defended well to keep the fight on the feet. Nurmagomedov was a big favourite, but just edged past Hughesgetty Nurmagomedov was then deducted a point in the third round after referee Mike Beltran ruled one his groin kicks as too high. However, after Hughes had recovered he started to find success with his wrestling and work the Irishman on the ground. In the championship rounds, Hughes continued on the front foot which led both men clashing heads with around 90 seconds left on the clock, subsequently opening a wound in the middle of the Irishman’s forehead. After a doctor had checked on the pair, the fight continued and Nurmagomedov was able to use his energy saved to keep Hughes on the ground for the remainder of the round. The crowd got louder and louder as the bout came to a conclusion and all three judges had their say. One judge scored the bout all square at 47-47, however, two other’s saw it 48-46, meaning Nurmagomedov was announced as the winner and still undefeated after five amazing rounds. Hardy credited both men’s performance, while admitting it was the best PFL main event he has ever seen. “It has to be…the pressure that was on these guys, main event, five rounds, Usman Nurmagomedov undefeated,” he added, “You know, you even just look at the corner team of Usman, you know, Khabib [Nurmagomedov], [Islam] Makachev, Javier Mendez – the knowledge in that corner, the championship experience. “It was a special fight, really it was..that’s only Paul Hughes’ second loss on his record and he’s still under 20 fights as a pro. “Like, give the guy two years and imagine where he’s going to be. “The same goes for Usman as well, we can’t undersell the performance that he put in to hold Paul off tonight and keep hold of his belt.”
Dan Hardy has admitted the best main event in PFL history must be repeated as a homecoming for Paul Hughes.
Hardy is a former UFC title contender having fought Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight strap in 2010.
He has since joined the PFL where he acts as a pundit and their Director of Fighter Operations in Europe.
The 42-year-old was on commentary duty for Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Saturday night.
Nurmagomedov narrowly retained his lightweight title in a thrilling contest as Hughes put on the performance of a lifetime.
However, it wasn’t enough for the Irish star, who fell to a majority decision defeat.
After the bout, Hughes, 27, looked unsurprisingly deflated, but admitted there was only one option going forward.
“I really thought I was going to win tonight,” he said in his post-fight interview.
“I’m heartbroken here if I’m honest…I just can’t wait to see what’s in the future, we HAVE to do the rematch in Belfast!
“It has to be in Belfast, we have to bring it back to Ireland.”
Hardy agreed with ‘Big News’ and couldn’t hold back his excitement for what could be an even better rematch.
“Belfast is going to be a banger isn’t it?” he told talkSPORT MMA.
“I can’t wait. Last time we went to Belfast the atmosphere was amazing.
“I’ve been over there for the Belfast Giants ice hockey as well and that’s always electric, but we’ve got to bring this show to Belfast.”
Hughes’ clash with Nurmagomedov was an early Fight of the Year candidate as both men made one another perform at their very best.
Nurmagomedov set the tone early, attacking the legs, head and body of Hughes, who remained composed as he tried to implement his own game plan.
In the second round, the intensity went up a notch as Hughes made his Russian counterpart wobble with a kick.
The champion attempted to utilise his superior wrestling skills to bring the fight to the canvas, but Hughes defended well to keep the fight on the feet.
Nurmagomedov was then deducted a point in the third round after referee Mike Beltran ruled one his groin kicks as too high.
However, after Hughes had recovered he started to find success with his wrestling and work the Irishman on the ground.
In the championship rounds, Hughes continued on the front foot which led both men clashing heads with around 90 seconds left on the clock, subsequently opening a wound in the middle of the Irishman’s forehead.
After a doctor had checked on the pair, the fight continued and Nurmagomedov was able to use his energy saved to keep Hughes on the ground for the remainder of the round.
The crowd got louder and louder as the bout came to a conclusion and all three judges had their say.
One judge scored the bout all square at 47-47, however, two other’s saw it 48-46, meaning Nurmagomedov was announced as the winner and still undefeated after five amazing rounds.
Hardy credited both men’s performance, while admitting it was the best PFL main event he has ever seen.
“It has to be…the pressure that was on these guys, main event, five rounds, Usman Nurmagomedov undefeated,” he added,
“You know, you even just look at the corner team of Usman, you know, Khabib [Nurmagomedov], [Islam] Makachev, Javier Mendez – the knowledge in that corner, the championship experience.
“It was a special fight, really it was..that’s only Paul Hughes’ second loss on his record and he’s still under 20 fights as a pro.
“Like, give the guy two years and imagine where he’s going to be.
“The same goes for Usman as well, we can’t undersell the performance that he put in to hold Paul off tonight and keep hold of his belt.”
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2025/02/21/4100552-83148704-310-310.jpg)
