UFC 320 may be grabbing most of the headlines this weekend, but before the action kicks off at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, there’s the small matter of the PFL Champions Series event taking place Friday in Dubai.
Two of the top fighters outside the UFC are set to go head-to-head in a rematch of their World MMA Awards Fight of the Year contender from last January. Ireland’s Paul Hughes (14-2) gets another crack at the unbeaten Usman Nurmagomedov (19-0) after pushing the former Bellator champion to the brink in their first meeting.
The card also includes a light heavyweight title fight, a bantamweight contenders’ clash, and a pair of intriguing promotional debuts.
Here’s a breakdown of the main card action at this Friday’s PFL Champions Series 2 event.
Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes (PFL Vacant Lightweight Championship)
The first meeting between former Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov and former Cage Warriors titleholder Paul Hughes has already gone down as the greatest fight ever staged under the PFL banner. Their five-round war at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena kicked off the year in spectacular fashion, but while “Big News” immediately called for a rematch, he was forced to wait patiently for his chance at redemption.
Since that night, Nurmagomedov has remained inactive, while Hughes has only strengthened his case. In May, the Irishman delivered a statement performance in Belfast, knocking out Bruno Miranda in just 42 seconds before a sold-out home crowd—an emphatic win that all but compelled the PFL to grant him another crack at Nurmagomedov.
Before January’s thriller, the only blemish on Hughes’s record was a 2020 split-decision loss to Jordan Vucenic. He rebounded to capture championship gold in Cage Warriors and later avenged that defeat nearly two years after their first meeting. His proven ability to adapt and correct mistakes bodes well for the 28-year-old as he heads into this weekend’s showdown.
Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, remains a question mark. The Dagestani showed little interest in an immediate rematch after their first fight and has been noticeably cool with the media in the lead-up, seemingly frustrated at being pushed into the matchup.
The bout poses plenty of questions for both men and their camps. And if it delivers even half the fireworks of their first encounter, fans are in for a treat this Friday.
Corey Andersen vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov (PFL Vacant Light Heavyweight Championship)
The vacant PFL light heavyweight title is on the line in Friday’s co-main event as former Bellator standout Corey Anderson meets Turkmen powerhouse Dovlet Yagshimuradov in a rematch of their 2021 encounter.
Anderson (17-6, 1 NC) brings a wealth of top-level experience, with wins over the likes of Glover Teixeira and Ryan Bader cementing his reputation as one of the division’s most seasoned wrestle-boxers. Across the cage, Yagshimuradov (21-7-1) has built his name on explosive striking and finishing ability, earning stoppages in 14 of his 21 victories. With gold on the line and contrasting styles at play, the stage is set for a compelling clash.
Magomed Magomedov vs. Sergio Pettis (Bantamweight)
Friday’s main card also features a pivotal bantamweight showdown as former Bellator champion Sergio Pettis takes on Dagestani contender Magomed Magomedov. Pettis (23-6) makes his PFL debut after a decorated run in Bellator, where he picked up wins over Juan Archuleta, Kyoji Horiguchi, and Patricio Pitbull.
Magomedov (20-4), a former ACB champion, enters as one of the division’s most dangerous grapplers, with relentless pressure and submission threats that have tested some of the world’s best. With title implications looming, Pettis’s technical stand-up and Magomedov’s smothering ground game make this a classic clash of styles.
Archie Colgan vs. Jay Jay Wilson (Lightweight)
Rising lightweight prospects collide in Dubai as Archie Colgan faces Jay Jay Wilson in a matchup with serious divisional stakes. Colgan (10-0) arrives undefeated, blending a strong wrestling base with powerful striking that has seen him finish seven of his opponents. Wilson (10-1), the New Zealand-born submission specialist, presents a very different challenge—armed with a slick ground game and the creativity to end fights from anywhere.
2025 PFL World Tournament winner Alfie Davis is likely to be the next man in line to face the winner of Friday’s main event between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes, but whoever comes out on top between Colgan and Wilson will surely slot in right behind the young Englishman in the 155-pound title discussion.
Jack Cartwright vs. Caolan Loughran (Catchweight 140 pounds)
Former Cage Warriors bantamweight champions collide in a catchweight bout at 140 pounds as Jack Cartwright meets Caolan Loughran in Dubai. Cartwright (12-2) steps in on short notice, bringing a gritty style and finishing instincts that have carried him to nine stoppage victories.
Loughran (10-2), known as “The Don,” makes his PFL debut after a rollercoaster UFC run that saw him go 2-2 against tough competition. Both men are aggressive, pressure-first fighters with proven championship pedigree on the European scene. With pride, momentum, and a statement win at stake, this matchup promises fireworks from the opening bell.
