PFL announced its return to Dubai on October 3rd at a major event featuring two world title fights at the Coca-Cola Arena. Titled “PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai – The Rematch,” the event will showcase the biggest rematch and light heavyweight title match in PFL history, strengthening Dubai’s growth height as a global MMA hub.
Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes
The main event will pit Dagestan lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. This will be unbeaten 19-0 in one contest against Ireland’s Paul Hughes, who holds a 14-2 record. The two first met at the same venue in January earlier this year. There, Nurmagomedov won a close-up contested battle that many fans discussed. Their first fight was extremely competitive and considered a competitor of the year, selling out the arena along with fans traveling from Russia and Ireland. After the loss, Hughes rebounded in May with a 42-second fast stop for Bruno Miranda, publicly challenging Nurmagomedov for a rematch, setting the stage for this highly anticipated second meeting.
Nurmagomedov has been highly praised for his technical skills, beating top competitors such as former champions Patricky Pitbull and Benson Henderson. The lightweight division is considered one of the toughest in MMA, adding importance to this title defense.
Corey Anderson vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov
In the co-main event, former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Corey Anderson (19-6) will face 2024 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament Champion Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1). The fight served as a rematch for the 2021 Bellator World Grand Prix Quarter Final, with Anderson defeating Yagshimuradov with a third round finish. Since then, Anderson has won the Bellator Light Heavyweight title and recently stopped 2024 PFL heavyweight champion Denis Goltsov. Meanwhile, Yagshimuradov has been crowned seven consecutive wins in the Crown in his PFL Light Heavyweight victory over Impa Kasanganay.
The event also includes a notable match featuring undefeated heavyweights Pouya Rahmani and Slim Trabelsi. It features a long-standing grem between Zubaira Tukhugov and Artem Lobov, which was postponed following the UFC 229 Brawl in 2018, and a Welterweight conflict between the 2024 PFL Mena Welterweight Chomplaw eL Dafflawy. Welterweight champion Florim Zendeli is both undefeated consecutive wins.
This October card is part of a multi-year partnership with PFL’s Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Economic and Tourism Authority, highlighting the ongoing “Road to Dubai” campaign launched in November 2024. The initiative aims to gain momentum towards the road to Dubai Faneur, scheduled for January. With a capacity of 17,000 seats and modern facilities, the Coca-Cola Arena serves as a fitting location for this major showcase of elite MMA talent.
PFL CEO John Martin highlighted the importance of the event, calling it one of the biggest nights in PFL history, noting the importance of characterizing two world title fights with top athletes. He highlighted the rapid emergence of Dubai as a key location for the premier MMA event, providing a global platform for the PFL to provide fighter jets and fans.