UFC legend and Usman Nurmagomedov's coach Khabib Nurmagomedov believes the rematch is well deserved for Hughes, and has warned his fighter that it won't be easy on Friday night.

Speaking in the official promo for the fight, Khabib said: “Paul Hughes is the new generation of MMA and Usman is training very, very hard. Paul deserves this rematch because Usman gave him a very, very tough fight.”

But Usman disagreed with his coach and cousin, claiming that Hughes had not done enough to earn another fight.

Speaking at the media day, he said: “I think Khabib has his opinion and I have my opinion. Sometimes those opinions are not the same. In my opinion, he still does not deserve it."

Tension in camp Nurmagomedov?

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Is there anyone better to have in your corner than an undefeated former UFC world champion who just happens to be your cousin?

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov is the coach of Usman, and will be in his corner tonight as they try to topple Paul Hughes once again.

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Image source, PFL

In his second fight after signing for PFL, it was announced Paul Hughes would take on AJ McKee in Dubai in October 2024.

Hughes had called the fight with McKee a "life-changing opportunity" in the build-up to the contest, with the American representing the biggest bout of his career at that time.

McKee, a former Bellator featherweight title holder, was an experienced and elite operator, having won 22 of his 23 professional bouts prior to meeting Hughes.

It was an obvious step up from Cage Warriors in terms of the calibre of opponent, and he was clearly the underdog, but Hughes passed the test with flying colours and made the world sit up and take notice with a split decision win.

In the immediate aftermath of the fight, he called for a title fight with Usman Nurmagomedov, and with his stock rising following the biggest win of his career, his wish was swiftly granted.

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Usman Nurmagomedov certainly seems full of confidence before the rematch.

Speaking at the media day in Dubai on Tuesday, he said: "After that fight we changed a lot of things and this time I made it focus on my wrestling, and I have improved my skills and all that.

"This time, honestly, I just have focus on this fight."

"The fact was, I was in my worst shape but still beat this guy. Now I'm in my best shape, you know, and I have to show the people who I am.”

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Will Usman Nurmagomedov change his fighting style after the first fight was so close?

Paul Hughes thinks he may be underestimated if so: "We're competing at the highest level and I would rate him in the top five fighters in the world, so there are no holes.

"It's up to me to implement my gameplan better than his.

"I still think there is something there he is underestimating me. I still think he has that little bit of immaturity, arrogance, that might get him in trouble."

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Just before the co-main event, we saw a contender for knockout of the year as Sergio Pettis put Magomed Magomedov out cold with a perfectly timed spinning elbow.

Pettis followed up with a punch to the grounded Russian, but it wasn't needed as Magomedov looked to already be out.

Image source, PFL

Image source, PFL

Image source, PFL

We're into round three and both Corey Anderson v Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov are coming forward looking for the punch to end it all.

We've not had anymore eye pokes but we have had a low blow and some massive punches land.

Savannah Marshall
WBO middleweight champion to BBC Sport

What an absolute cracker that first fight was. I'm really excited for the second one. I just think everything Paul Hughes had, Usman Nurmagomedov had an answer for. So for this second one, I'm going for the same result but I think it will be a lot more decisive than the first one.

Prediction: Nurmagomedov

Usman Nurmagomedov is on the pads as the main event edges ever closer.

Paul Hughes has an almighty task on his hands tonight if he's to become a world champion but he's certainly capable.

Dubai's Coco-Cola Arena is hosting tonight's massive fight.

Looks smart, right?

Is this where Paul Hughes becomes a world champion?

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Paul Hughes began his professional career in 2017 but really started to gain attention while he was signed with Cage Warriors.

His big break came in his ninth professional fight as he won the Cage Warriors interim featherweight world title after securing a majority decision victory over Morgan Charriere in October 2021 in London.

Hughes took his opponent down and was in control in the later rounds, coming close to submitting his French opponent and landing a number of eye-catching strikes.

He was visibly emotional when receiving the belt and whilst Charriere has since joined the UFC, Hughes' trajectory has been on a similarly upward trajectory since that fight four years ago.

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Throughout the night we'll be running you through some of Paul Hughes' most career defining fights so that's something for you to look forward to.

A bit of trouble in the co-main already but it's not for what you'd think.

Corey Anderson has has a finger to each eye but Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov has avoided having a point taken off.

I don't think he'll avoid it if another eye poke happens, though.

This one is under way now and they're both throwing huge blows!

It's a simple question, yet the answer is not.

The PFL lightweight world title is on the line tonight but it is essentially a new belt and wasn't in existence when Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes fought in January.

That was for the Bellator lightweight title, which also technically didn't really exist as a genuine world title when the PFL bought Bellator. It was more symbolic rather than an actual world title as the PFL had their own world champions and you can't have a world champion with no contenders, right?

Fast forward and we've had a tad more clarity. Gone are the PFL 'world champions' crowned through the tournament system. The PFL have sought to provide more clarity recently by confirming all their current belt holders who didn't compete in the last world tournament are the divisional champions. So much more aligned with the UFC system.

This means Nurmagomedov is the current PFL lightweight world champion and the winner tonight will fight the different contenders in 2026 and onwards, including 2025 lightweight tournament champion Alfie Davis.

So all in all you're exhausted, so am I and together we hope the PFL stick to the new system.

Here is the PFL lightweight world title in all its glory.

Who will be hoisting this high at the end of the night?

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Paul Hughes came up just short in the first fight with Usman Nurmagomedov in January.

But what actually happened? See for yourself here.

Coming up next, we've got a light-heavyweight title fight coming your way as Corey Anderson and Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov go head-to-head.

We won't be going round-by-round with this one but we'll certainly be letting you know if anything significant happens.

Anderson is the favourite in the contest and we have one of his best performances for you to enjoy below.

Englishman Jack Cartwright defeated Northern Irish fighter Caolan Loughran by unanimous decision after taking the fight on short notice.

Loughran was scheduled to face Manchester's Lewis McGrillen on the card, however after McGrillen withdrew Cartwright was given the opportunity to make his PFL debut in Dubai.

Despite being the underdog, Cartwright took the fight to Loughran and was judged to have won the bout 29-28 by all three judges.

In truth, it's probably hard to disagree with those scorecards!

Image source, PFL

Image source, PFL