Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai will host main event pitting undefeated Bellator Lightweight
World Champion, Usman Nurmagomedov versus rising Irish contender Paul Hughes
NEW YORK (January 15, 2025) - The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is thrilled to announce that its first card of 2025, PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series, will stream live in the U.S. on Max on Saturday, January 25 beginning at 10:30 am EST.
Headlining the event is undefeated Bellator Lightweight World Champion Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0), who will defend his title against Ireland’s Paul ‘Big News’ Hughes (13-1), reigniting one of MMA’s most intense rivalries: Dagestan vs. Ireland. In the co-main event, former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Vadim Nemkov (18-2) takes on former Minnesota National Guard sergeant Tim Johnson (18-2) in a thrilling Heavyweight bout. The action will take place at the iconic Coca-Cola Arena, located in Dubai’s vibrant City Walk.
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PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series is the inaugural “Road to Dubai” event following the signing of a groundbreaking multi-year partnership between the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai Sports Council (DSC), and the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
The first-of-its-kind partnership will see MMA world champions and the sport’s biggest stars from the PFL compete in title fights as Dubai becomes a marquee destination for the best of MMA. All other Champions Series events will now be co-branded as “Road to Dubai”, as each show culminates to the finale set in the new fight capital. As part of the PFL’s commitment to developing the sport of MMA in Dubai, rising Emirati star fighters will now have a pathway to become future PFL Champions.
Full bout listing can be found below:
PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series Main Card:
Lightweight World Title Bout: Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) vs. Paul Hughes (13-1)
Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Vadim Nemkov (18-2) vs. Tim Johnson (18-10)
Featherweight Main Card Bout: Akhmed Magomedov (10-1) vs. Nathan Kelly (11-2)
Featherweight Main Card Bout: Ibragim Ibragimov (8-0) vs. Kenny Mokhonoana (5-1)
Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Renat Khavalov (8-0) vs. Cleiver Fernandes (9-1)
Preliminary Card:
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Tarek Suleiman (13-8) vs. Ahmed Samy (11-4)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Yakub Sulimanov (7-0) vs. Jarrah Al-Selawe (20-7)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Mirafzal Akhtamov (7-0-1) vs. Mike Thompson (7-2)
Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Hadi Omar Al Hussaini (5-1-1) vs. Ruel Pañales (5-2)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: John Mitchell (9-2) vs. Souhil Tairi (7-5-1)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Mostafa Nada (9-3) vs. Haider Khan (8-1)
ABOUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a global powerhouse in MMA and the fastest-growing sports league world-wide. Founded in 2018, PFL is backed by major blue-chip investors including SURJ, Ares, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners. MMA is the growth sport business of this decade, with 650 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demographic, and true global revenue streams.
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