What occurred in Usman Nurmagomedov v Paul Hughes 1?
Usman Nurmagomedov v Paul Hughes 2
Venue: Coca-Cola Enviornment, Dubai Date: Friday, 3 October
Protection: Observe reside textual content commentary of Nurmagomedov v Hughes 2 from 20:00 BST on Friday, 3 October on BBC Sport web site and app
Irishman Paul Hughes seeks revenge in opposition to Usman Nurmagomedov on Friday in Abu Dhabi.
Hughes, 28, is difficult Nurmagomedov for the PFL light-weight title eight months after he was overwhelmed by the Russian.
Nurmagomedov edged Hughes on factors in a carefully fought battle which might have gone both manner.
Can Hughes turn out to be the primary fighter to beat 27-year-old Nurmagomedov? BBC Sport asks fighters and pundits for his or her predictions.
Carl Frampton – two-weight boxing world champion
“I believe Paul can win this one. I felt he did sufficient to win the primary combat however the head conflict was an enormous second. He got here off worse but it surely occurred at a time when Nurmagomedov wanted a relaxation and he used all of his expertise to take a break, which benefited him. Paul will probably be proper up for this and must be the favorite due to what occurred final time. I am backing him to turn out to be Eire’s newest world champion.”
Prediction: Hughes
Alfie Davis – PFL 2025 light-weight tournament-winner
“My prediction is that Hughes goes to get the job accomplished this time. I really feel he is been extra lively than Nurmagomedov of late, and I really feel he simply desires it extra. So I will go along with the underdog Paul Hughes by a choice victory.”
Prediction: Hughes
Savannah Marshall – two-weight boxing world champion
“What an absolute cracker that first combat was. I am actually excited for the second. I simply assume the whole lot Paul Hughes had, Usman Nurmagomedov had a solution for. So for this second one, I am going for a similar end result however I believe it is going to be much more decisive than the primary one.”
Prediction: Nurmagomedov
Dan Hardy – PFL analyst and former UFC welterweight
“I am form of leaning in direction of a choice for Usman once more. I really feel he can have recalibrated, he is aware of what he is up in opposition to now and it’ll take Paul to do one thing even higher than final time to get him the win. I’ve had conversations all week about it and it is loopy how divided the opinion is. I’ve had excessive degree fighters come as much as me and inform me Paul’s going to shock everybody, however I am leaning in direction of Usman. However I am all the time open to being stunned by Paul and he retains shocking me, so we’ll see what occurs.”
Prediction: Nurmagomedov
Costello van Steenis – PFL middleweight champion
“I imagine Paul Hughes goes to get the win. He appears to be like fitter than ever, he appears to be like hungrier than ever and he is aware of what it’s to lose in opposition to Usman. So I do not assume he’ll make the identical errors. Possibly I am completely fallacious, we’ll see, however it is going to be an important combat to observe – so seize your popcorn and benefit from the night time.”
Prediction: Hughes
Michael Conlan – skilled boxer
“It is a very laborious combat to name. It was an important first combat and I believe Paul ought to have gotten the choice. This one, Nurmagomedov will probably be be way more respectful for the power of Paul and can have educated a lot more durable, however I do imagine this will probably be a Paul Hughes victory, both on factors or with a late stoppage.”
Prediction: Hughes
Liz Carmouche – PFL 2025 flyweight tournament-winner
“I will need to go for Paul. I believe after the primary trade, though the choice went for Usman, one of many issues he confirmed was he was capable of push Usman into deep waters so far as his conditioning goes. He was capable of utilise anti-wrestling efficiently, he pushed hanging and actually pushed Usman. I believe he’ll capitalise within the rematch.”
Prediction: Hughes
Thad Jean – PFL 2025 welterweight tournament-winner
“I say Usman pulls it off with a unanimous choice. Hughes will get actually aggressive however Usman will use this to his benefit and ensure he pulls of that victory.”
Prediction: Nurmagomedov
Dalton Rosta – PFL middleweight
“First time round, I felt Usman underestimated Paul a bit bit. He is not going to make that mistake once more. I believe this time he goes in there and will get it accomplished through a end. I believe he does that through the use of his wrestling, taking him down and getting the submission.”
Prediction: Nurmagomedov
