{"id":634088,"date":"2025-10-04T05:54:51","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T04:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=634088"},"modified":"2025-10-04T05:55:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T04:55:07","slug":"ariel-helwani-reacts-to-usman-nurmagomedovs-win-over-paul-hughes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/ariel-helwani-reacts-to-usman-nurmagomedovs-win-over-paul-hughes\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cWorst Singular Scoredcard\u201d – Ariel Helwani Reacts To Usman Nurmagomedov\u2019s Win Over Paul Hughes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rematches in combat sports always carry extra weight and anticipation. When two fighters meet for a second time, everyone expects adjustments and improvements. Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes delivered exactly that kind of sequel in Dubai. Their first encounter back in January ended with Nurmagomedov taking a unanimous decision for the Bellator lightweight title. The fight was close enough to warrant debate among fans and analysts. Fast forward to October, and they squared off again at the same Coca-Cola Arena. This time the Professional Fighters League lightweight championship was on the line after PFL’s acquisition of Bellator. The stage was set for another five-round war that would go the distance.<\/p>

The judges delivered their verdict after twenty-five minutes of intense action. Usman Nurmagomedov retained his status as champion with scores that raised eyebrows across the MMA community. One judge gave it 50-45, another scored it 49-46, and the third had it 48-47 for the Dagestani fighter. While Nurmagomedov celebrated his victory, something felt off about those numbers. The controversy was about to explode across social media and MMA<\/a> circles. Prominent journalist Ariel Helwani didn’t hold back his thoughts on what he witnessed. His reaction captured the frustration many fans felt watching Hughes get denied what looked like a much closer contest than the official scores suggested.<\/p>

Ariel Helwani Calls Out the Worst Singular Scorecard In Recent Memory<\/h2>

Ariel Helwani has covered MMA long enough to know when something doesn’t add up. After watching Hughes vs Nurmagomedov play out, he couldn’t stay quiet about the judging. Helwani revealed he personally scored the fight 3-2 in favor of Hughes. He emphasized that he could even understand someone scoring it 3-2 for Nurmagomedov given how competitive it was. But what he couldn’t comprehend was one judge giving Nurmagomedov every single round. A 50-45 scorecard meant that the judge saw a completely one-sided beatdown. Anyone watching the fight knew that wasn’t reality.<\/p>

“This was the worst singular scorecard in MMA. That is the most despicable, disgusting scorecard I have ever seen.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

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A post shared by Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>