Fighters Only : Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes II Headlines PFL Championship Return to UAE

Paul Browne

Aug 13, 2025

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is stacking the deck for its return to the United Arab Emirates, announcing a championship doubleheader for its next Dubai event. On Friday, October 3, PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai – The Rematch will light up the Coca-Cola Arena with two world titles on the line in what promises to be one of the promotion’s biggest events of 2025.

Headlining the card is what the PFL calls the biggest rematch in its history. Undefeated Dagestani powerhouse Usman Nurmagomedov (19-0, 1 NC) will once again collide with Ireland’s surging contender Paul Hughes (14-2) for the PFL Lightweight World Championship. Their first encounter — also held at the Coca-Cola Arena in January — has been widely praised as the greatest fight in the promotion’s history and is nominated for Fight of the Year at the 17th annual World MMA Awards.

Sharing the spotlight in the co-main event, former Bellator light heavyweight champion Corey Anderson (19-6) will take on reigning 2024 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament champion Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1). With the PFL Light Heavyweight World Title at stake, both men will aim to solidify their legacy in front of a global audience.

“PFL Champions Series on October 3 in Dubai will be one of the biggest nights in PFL history,” said PFL CEO John Martin. “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.”