Paul Hughes will lock horns with undefeated PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov in one of MMA’s most anticipated rematches on Friday.
The pair put on an early fight-of-the-year contender back in January, with Nurmagomedov - the cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib - narrowly edging “Big News” by majority decision, despite being docked a point for an accidental headbutt.
• Follow LIVE: Latest fight updates and results from Hughes vs Nurmagomedov 2
Northern Ireland sensation Hughes is now out for revenge as he returns to Dubai for the biggest fight of his career so far, harbouring dreams of bringing the gold back to Belfast for a mammoth title fight at Windsor Park.
The co-main event pits former Bellator champion Corey Anderson against Dovlet Yagshimuradov for the PFL light-heavyweight belt, while the undercard was due to feature Artem Lobov – Conor McGregor’s former training partner – fight in MMA for the first time in seven years, but a cut has ruled him out.
Here’s everything you need to know:
When is Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov 2?
Hughes vs Nurmagomedov 2 will take place on Friday 3 October at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The prelims will begin at 4:30pm BST (11:30am ET, 10:30am CT, 8:30am PT) before the main card starts at 7:30pm BST (2:30pm ET, 1:30pm CT, 11:30am PT), with main-event ring walks expected at 9:30pm BST (4:30pm ET, 3:30pm CT, 1:30pm PT).
How can I watch it?
Viewers can stream the fight live on DAZN, with the card available to watch for subscribers. Purchase a subscription to DAZN here, with plans starting at £14.99 a month.
Odds
Paul Hughes 5/4
Usman Nurmagomedov 8/13
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Fight card in full
Subject to change; ‘C’ denotes champion
Main card
Usman Nurmagomedov (C) vs Paul Hughes (lightweight title)
Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (C) vs Corey Anderson (light-heavyweight title)
Magomed Magomedov vs Sergio Pettis (bantamweight)
Archie Colgan vs Jay-Jay Wilson (catchweight)
Jack Cartwright vs Caolan Loughran (catchweight)
Prelims
Pouya Rahmani def. Slim Trabelsi via first-round TKO (strikes, 2:47)
Florim Zendeli def. Omar El Dafrawy via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Luann Sardinha via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Takeshi Izumi def. Vinicius Cenci via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Makkasharip Zaynukov def. John Mitchell via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
Jarrah Al-Selawe def. Gregory Babene via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
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