Nurmagomedov vs Hughes

When is Nurmagomedov vs Hughes?

Usman Nurmagomedov is set to fight Paul Hughes in the main event of Bellator Champions Series, on Saturday 25th January 2025 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

The fight is scheduled for 5 rounds in the Lightweight division, which means the weight limit will be 155 pounds (11.1 stone or 70.3 KG).

This contest is for the Bellator Lightweight championship.

Nurmagomedov vs Hughes stats

Usman Nurmagomedov steps into the octagon with an undefeated record of 18 wins, zero losses and 0 draws, 8 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 6 by submission.

Paul Hughes will make his way to the cage with a record of 13 wins, 1 loss and 0 draws, 6 of those wins coming by knock out and 3 by submission.

This will be Usman Nurmagomedov's 8th fight in Bellator, having made his debut for the promotion in 2021. Paul Hughes will mark his 1st fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2024.

Usman Nurmagomedov's Bellator record currently stands at 7-0-0, while Paul Hughes' comes in at 1-0-0.

The stats suggest Hughes has a slight advantage in power over Nurmagomedov, with a 46% knock out percentage over Nurmagomedov's 44%.

If the fight goes to the ground, their records suggest Nurmagomedov will have a slight advantage over Hughes, with a 33% submission rate over Hughes' 23%.

Usman Nurmagomedov is the younger man by 1 year, at 26 years old.

Nurmagomedov has a height advantage of 2 inches over Hughes.

Nurmagomedov is the more experienced professional fighter, having had 4 more fights, and made his debut in 2017, 1 month later than Hughes, whose first professional fight was in 2017. He has fought 6 more professional rounds, 38 to Hughes' 32.

Nurmagomedov vs Hughes form

Nurmagomedov remains undefeated as a professional.

In his last fight, he won against Alexander Shabliy at Bellator Champions Series: San Diego on 7th September 2024 by unanimous decision in their Bellator Lightweight championship fight at Pechanga Arena, San Diego, United States.

Previous to that, he had beaten Brent Primus at Bellator 300 on 7th October 2023 by unanimous decision in their Bellator Lightweight championship fight at Pechanga Arena, San Diego.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Benson Henderson at Bellator 292 on 10th March 2023 by submission in the 1st round in their Bellator Lightweight championship fight at SAP Center, San Jose.

Before that, he was victorious against Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 288 on 18th November 2022 by unanimous decision in their Bellator Lightweight championship fight at Wintrust Arena, Chicago.

He had won against Chris Gonzalez at Bellator MMA on 22nd July 2022 by submission in the 1st round at Emerald Queen Casino and Hotel, Tacoma.

Hughes has won all 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 3opponents and going the distance twice.

In his last fight, he defeated AJ McKee Jr at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants on 19th October 2024 by split decision in their 3 round contest at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Previous to that, he had defeated Bobby King at Bellator Champions Series: Dublin on 22nd June 2024 by knockout in the 2nd round at 3Arena Dublin, Dublin, United Kingdom.

Going into that contest, he was victorious against Fabiano Silva at Cage Warriors 170: Sheehan vs. Konrad on 6th April 2024 by knockout in the 1st round at Simmonscourt Ros, Dublin.

Before that, he had won against Jan Quaeyhaegens at Cage Warriors 161 – Dublin on 14th October 2023 by knockout in the 1st round at 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland.

He had beaten Jordan Vucenic at Cage Warriors 145 on 4th November 2022 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at Indigo at the O2, London, United Kingdom.

Activity check

In terms of recent activity, Paul Hughes has been fighting more than Usman Nurmagomedov.

Usman Nurmagomedov last fought 2 months and 26 days ago, while Paul Hughes' last outing was 1 month and 14 days ago.

Nurmagomedov's last 5 fights have come over a period of 2 years, 4 months and 11 days, meaning he has been fighting on average every 5 months and 22 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 17 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 3.4 rounds on average.

Hughes' last 5 fights have come over a period of 2 years and 29 days, meaning he has been fighting on average every 5 months and 1 day. In those fights, he fought a total of 12 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 2.4 rounds on average.

What are the odds on Nurmagomedov vs Hughes?

Sorry, we couldn’t find any odds for Nurmagomedov vs Hughes yet. If a contest doesn’t have odds initially after it is announced, bookmakers usually release them closer to the day of the fight.