NEW YORK: The Professional Fighters League has announced a championship double-header for its return to the UAE, as two PFL world title bouts will headline PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai - The Rematch on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Coca-Cola Arena.
The biggest rematch in PFL history takes center stage, as Dagestan’s undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov (19‑0, 1 NC) and Ireland’s Paul Hughes (14‑2) battle for the PFL lightweight title in the main event.
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) for the PFL light heavyweight title.
Three bouts have also been confirmed for the early card, including a heavyweight wrestling clash between former Iranian national team member Pouya Rahmani (4-0) and Tunisian Olympian Slim Trabelsi (8-0), both of whom will be looking to preserve their undefeated records.
The second is a grudge match nearly seven years in the making between Zubaira Tukhugov (20-6-1) and Artem Lobov (14-15-1). Originally planned for 2018, the matchup was scrapped following the UFC 229 post-fight brawl and subsequent suspensions.
Finally, 2024 PFL MENA welterweight champion Omar El-Dafrawy (14-5) of Egypt will fight 2024 PFL Europe welterweight champion Florim Zendeli (10-1-1) of Albania in a battle of the regional tournament winners, both of whom are in the midst of multi-fight unbeaten streaks.
Additional main card and early card bouts will be announced at a later date.
The October event is part of PFL’s multi-year partnership with the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
Since its launch in November, the Road to Dubai campaign has brought a series of PFL global MMA events to the UAE. While the finale is scheduled for January, the October event is an additional showcase.
PFL CEO John Martin said it would be “one of the biggest nights in PFL history.”
“To have two PFL world titles on the line, featuring four world-class athletes at the top of their game, shows exactly what makes the PFL different. This is more than just a fight card, it’s a global showcase of elite talent, compelling narratives and the power of our international platform. Dubai is quickly becoming one of the sport’s true capitals and there’s no better setting for a night of championship-level drama and the biggest rematch in PFL history.”
Nurmagomedov and Hughes first met in January, also at the Coca-Cola Arena, and delivered an instant fight-of-the-year contender. The sold-out event saw fans traveling from Russia and Ireland to create a charged atmosphere for an electric five-round battle. While Nurmagomedov emerged victorious, the outcome sparked fierce debate among fans, many of whom felt Hughes had done enough for victory, setting the stage for a not-to-be-missed rematch.
Fueled by the loss, Hughes came roaring back with a statement win in May with a 42-second stoppage of Bruno Miranda in front of a capacity crowd in Belfast. After the fight, he made his intentions crystal clear: “Usman Nurmagomedov, you can run and delay this rematch as long as you want, but your day is coming.”
Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov remains undefeated and is widely regarded as one of the most technically complete fighters in MMA. Competing in what many consider the sport’s toughest division, the 27-year-old champion’s resume includes victories over elite opponents like former champions Patricky Pitbull and Benson Henderson, and Alexander Shabliy.
The light heavyweight title contest is also a rematch of the fighters’ 2021 Bellator World Grand Prix quarterfinal, where Anderson earned a third-round finish over Yagshimuradov. Anderson went on to capture the Bellator light heavyweight championship and most recently handed 2024 PFL heavyweight champion Denis Goltsov his first loss in nearly two years, stopping him last month at PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai — Cape Town.
Meanwhile, the pride of Turkmenistan has been on a tear since that defeat, riding a dominant seven-fight win streak, a run capped by a victory over Impa Kasanganay to claim the 2024 PFL light heavyweight title.
