Paul Hughes didn't get the desired result in his first major MMA world title fight, but he was still a winner in the big picture. At PFL Dubai, the proud Irishman pushed undefeated PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov to his limits in their five-round title tilt on Saturday.

Khabib Nurmagomedov was far less cordial in his response to Conor McGregor’s recent tirade than Paul Hughes was.

McGregor, prior to his defeat by Khabib in 2018, attacked the Russian’s Muslim faith. Immediately after their lightweight title fight, in which Khabib retained the gold that McGregor previously held, the “Eagle” jumped over the cage to attack members of the Irishman’s team.