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.

Young Irish lightweight Paul Hughes has responded to Conor McGregor's recent insults against him following his PFL title loss.

“Brother, nobody knows who is Paul Hughes,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie. “He can talk something only because he wants to promote himself. PFL gave him this title shot only because he’s from Ireland, and they want to promote Ireland vs. Dagestan – something like that.