Russian MMA fighter Usman Nurmagomedov successfully defended his PFL lightweight championship in Dubai at the PFL Champions Series 3, securing a unanimous decision win over Ireland’s Paul Hughes after five intense rounds.

This fight marked their second meeting in the cage. The first took place in January 2025, when Nurmagomedov also defeated Hughes by judges’ decision. With this latest triumph, the undefeated 27-year-old now boasts an impressive professional record of 20 wins and no losses.

Notably, one of his previous bouts — a 2023 match against Brent Primus — was followed by controversy. Although Usman won the fight, a positive doping test led to a six-month suspension. However, he retained his Bellator championship belt after clarifying that the result was due to a prescribed medical treatment, which he failed to report.

Paul Hughes, 28, holds a career record of 14 wins and 3 losses. Usman is a cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and first claimed his title in November 2022 by defeating Patricky Freire in Bellator. After PFL acquired Bellator in August 2025, his champion status was officially recognized in the new organization.