Paul Hughes: “The judges scorecards were pretty ridiculous”

Paul Hughes, PFL
Paul Hughes, PFL Dubai Credit: Paul Hughes

Paul Hughes agrees with many who watched him challenge Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator lightweight title at PFL Dubai on Saturday.

Ridiculous.

 

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“Obviously, as always, I’m going to have to watch it back to get a good assessment and a clear-minded assessment, but as we know, we all thought I won that one. I think the judges’ scorecards were pretty ridiculous,” Hughes said in the video posted to his Instagram.

“I’ll watch it back with a clear mind. I’m just judging from the energy of the arena and everyone surrounding the cage. I thought it was mine. I’m not going to make excuses though. I should’ve pushed harder. I should’ve pushed harder and I will the next time. I know we’ll fight again.”

After pushing Nurmagomedov for five rounds the judges scorecards came back with two of the scores looking rather odd. 47-47, 48-46, 48-46. Nurmagomedov was docked 1 point after he committed multiple fouls during the fight.

“It felt like the stoppage in the fourth round with the head clash changed the momentum of the fight. I feel like I was breaking him. I was ripping him so hard to the body and I felt him wheezing,” he said.

“I knew my momentum was coming up and I would have emptied the tank, but that changed the kind of flow and he got good recovery. Which, look, the headbutt was a headbutt. It was accidental. He has all the right to take that recovery.”

Regardless the 27-year-old lightweight is hoping to run it back sooner than later.

“I’m obviously disappointed. I’m gutted, I really am. I’m proud of myself, but I do need to get that back. I need to get that back,” said Hughes.

“I deserve to have that belt, soon.”