Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Khabib Nurmagomedov is seen before the fight between Abubakar Nurmagomedov (red gloves) and Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports

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Khabib Nurmagomedov Announces Usman Nurmagomedov’s Highly Anticipated Rematch!

Khabib Nurmagomedov shares major fight news about his cousin and PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov this October!

The Nurmagomedov name carries serious weight in MMA circles. Ever since Khabib retired as the undefeated UFC lightweight champion, the MMA world has watched his cousin Usman carry the family torch. The younger Nurmagomedov has built an impressive undefeated record while holding the Bellator lightweight title. But his most recent title defense against Paul Hughes sparked one of the biggest controversies in recent memory. The fight was so close and entertaining that fans immediately started demanding a rematch before the judges even announced their decision.

The majority decision victory over Hughes in Dubai pushed Usman all the way, creating one of the most talked about fights in PFL history. Hughes brought the fight to the champion throughout five rounds, mixing crisp striking with relentless pressure that had many fans scoring the fight differently than the judges. The Irish fighter’s late surge and a point deduction against Usman made the final scorecards even more controversial. Since that January battle, fans and media have been begging PFL to book the obvious rematch that both fighters deserve.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Confirms Rematch

Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t usually make announcements unless they are set in stone. During a recent conversation with streamer Sneako, the retired champion dropped some major news about his cousin’s next fight. According to Khabib, the rematch between Usman and Paul Hughes will take place on October 4 in Dubai. This timing lines up perfectly with PFL’s fall schedule and could serve as the headliner for a third Champions Series event.

“There is Usman, he is a hell of a fighter, he’s fighting on October 4th in Dubai with the same guy he fought last time. It was a hard fight, and now we will see how we’re gonna deal with it. They’re gonna have a rematch.”

🚨Khabib Announces That Usman Nurmagomedov Is Fighting Paul Hughes In A Rematch.
Date: October
Location: Dubai
(Via – @sneako) pic.twitter.com/YwRxp1YmYX
— Sunglasses MMA (@sunglassesmma) August 3, 2025

The location choice makes perfect sense from a business standpoint. Dubai has become PFL’s second home, hosting some of their biggest events in recent years. The Middle Eastern market has embraced MMA with open arms, and the Nurmagomedov name draws massive crowds. Having the rematch in the same city where their first war took place adds a nice storyline element that promoters love to build around.

Why This Rematch Matters More Than Most

The Ireland vs Dagestan rivalry runs deeper than just geographic differences in MMA. Conor McGregor put Irish fighters on the map with his meteoric rise, while Khabib and his teammates represented the grinding, wrestling heavy style of Dagestani fighters. Paul Hughes carries that Irish fighting spirit with him every time he steps into the cage. His pressure heavy style and willingness to engage in firefights makes him a fan favorite wherever he competes.

For Usman, this rematch represents a chance to silence the doubters once and for all. The controversial nature of their first fight left some fans questioning whether he truly won. A dominant performance in the rematch would cement his status as the division’s top fighter and prove that the first fight was closer than it should have been. The pressure is on the undefeated champion to show that January’s performance wasn’t his ceiling!

(Image Credit: Craig Kidwell – Imagn Images)

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Paul Hughes

Usman Nurmagomedov

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!