Usman Nurmagomedov, the PFL lightweight champion, is questioning the scorecards from his recent rematch against Paul Hughes. Despite securing a unanimous decision victory and improving his record to 20-0, Nurmagomedov believes that a score of 50-45 does not reflect the fight’s true outcome.
Scorecard Controversy Following the Rematch
In the closely contested fight, Nurmagomedov faced Hughes for the second time. Judges scored the bout with one giving it 50-45 and another 49-46. This has led to significant debate among fans and analysts about the fairness of the scoring.
- Nurmagomedov expressed that he felt he deserved an even wider score, claiming it should have been 50-44, with the first round warranting a 10-8 score.
- Prior to the fight, Nurmagomedov argued that Hughes didn’t deserve a rematch.
Post-Fight Reactions
Following the decision announcement, Nurmagomedov appeared confident and somewhat light-hearted. He stated, “I think that was 50-44, just my opinion,” when discussing the scoring with media. Despite his victory, he acknowledged Hughes’s efforts but seemed relieved at the outcome.
Social Media Backlash and Speculation
The aftermath of the fight was amplified by mistakes in the initial scorecard release. PFL’s PR account mistakenly published conflicting numbers, which prompted calls for transparency and the publication of all judges’ scorecards.
- The initial card inadvertently supported Nurmagomedov’s view, giving him a 50-44 win but incorrectly awarding a 10-8 score in a controversial fifth round.
- After corrections, fans continued to express doubts, with some suggesting the Nurmagomedov name influenced the scoring, particularly in Dubai.
The conversation surrounding the fight’s scorecards emphasizes the need for accuracy and fairness in judging combat sports, as well as the impact of notable names in competitive arenas. As the PFL continues to grow, such controversies will likely prompt discussions about scoring criteria and transparency.
