Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes Prediction: Usman Nurmagomedov to show complete dominance

The Lightweight division presents another interesting bout in the Bellator Men Series. This bout will be between defending champion Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes. Fans can watch these two fighters in action at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. There is a title belt on the line for this match. It is the Bellator Lightweight Championship belt that belongs to Usman Nurmagomedov. As the last main event fight of the night, fans can be rest assured that the best was preserved for their pleasure.

Umar Nurmagomedov - hoping to keep his unbeaten run

Umar Nurmagomedov boasts of a professional record of 18 wins. The unbeaten hero began his professional career at the PFL promotion in 2018. Just after a little spell in which he recorded 2 victories, he migrated to the UFC promotion. He fought six times, winning all. His last fight was on August 03, 2024, in the UFC against Cory Sandhagen, which ended in a unanimous decision victory. Before that bout he faced Bekzat Almakhan at the UFC Fight Night Edition and won via unanimous decision. Early 2023, he had an impressive show in his victory over Raoni Barcelos and was awarded the UFC Fight Night Performance of the Night. He had the same award in his submission victory over Sergey Morozov. Other fighters he has recorded such victories over were Brian Kelleher (rear naked choke submission), Nate Maness (unanimous decision), Sidemar Honorio (unanimous decision), Taras Grytskiv (rear naked choke submission), Saidyokub Kakhramonov (unanimous decision), and Fatkhidin Sobirov (unanimous decision). In 2019, he won the vacant GF Bantamweight Championship against Braian González via a rear naked choke submission and the FMMAS Bantamweight Championship against Wagner Lima via unanimous decision.

Paul Hughes - looking for his next win

The Irish fighter is on a seven-consecutive-winning streak. He last fought at the PFL Super Fights in a main card event against AJ McKee Jr., winning by split decision. The majority of his victories were by virtue of knockout (6) and submission (3). He has never suffered any losses through this method. Paul Hughes is currently ranked the 51st current best MMA lightweight fighter. Before his last fight, he faced Fabiano Silva at the Cage Warriors 170, winning by an elbow technical knockout. With just a fight in 2023, he battled Jan Quaeyhaegens and won halfway through the first round by a counter left hook TKO.

Expect Betting Tips

This matchup is not expected to be fierce simply because of the history of the fighters. Usman's unbeaten run sets him as a clear favorite to win; even the bookies support this with the odds given. Now is the question: when and how will he get this victory? Apparently the latest news around him is the fact that he has sprained his wrist. Concerns about how long it will take before recovery against an impressive, well-rounded player in Paul Hughes create doubts. Hughes has never been defeated by submission before, but I believe that is the route Usman will be exploring. Also, this implies that he will get the victory in under 2 rounds.

Our first prediction is Under 4.5 total rounds - 2.90 odds in 1xbet

Our Second prediction is W1 by KO, TKO, DQ or Submission - 3.20 odds in Betway

Our Third prediction is W1 to win by submission - 6.00 odds in Bet365