For many MMA fans, the UFC is the epicenter of the sport. The entire mixed martial arts world begins and ends inside the Octagon.
There are plenty of top-tier fighters scattered across other organizations, however, and while the world leader hosts an event in Belgrade this Saturday, a handful of world-class matchups are taking place elsewhere this weekend.
Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Archie Colgan – PFL Lightweight Title
The groundbreaking news of the PFL's merger with Jake Paul's MVP rocked the MMA world on Friday. The coalition may well prove fruitful for fighters around the world, but before turning its attention to the future, the organization has the small matter of tonight's event at New York's UBS Arena to take care of.
Usman Nurmagomedov (21-0) puts his lightweight title on the line against the unbeaten Archie Colgan (10-0) in what will be the final fight of his current PFL contract.
Rumors of a potential move to the UFC for the champion have intensified since his friend and training partner, Islam Makhachev, moved up a weight class last year, and tonight's bout may well serve as the final swan song for both Nurmagomedov and the PFL's 155-pound title.
With Nurmagomedov's rival Paul Hughes sidelined by a knee injury, Denver's Archie Colgan gets the opportunity to challenge for the lightweight crown.
While Colgan has displayed brilliant wrestling skills and phenomenal athleticism throughout his rise, his last seven victories have all come by decision. Questions remain about his ability to finish opponents, and he is still untested over the grueling five-round distance of a championship fight.
Dakota Ditcheva vs. Denise Kielholtz – PFL New York
Dakota Ditcheva (15-0) finally returns to the SmartCage this evening for just her second fight since winning the PFL Global Tournament—and its $1 million prize—in November 2024, as she takes on Denise Kielholtz (9-5).
Two separate broken hands have hampered the British star's dominant run under the PFL banner, but she'll be hoping to regain some of that momentum with a statement performance in the Big Apple.
Amsterdam's Kielholtz enters the fight riding a three-fight winning streak, but the veteran kickboxer has yet to face anyone remotely close to Ditcheva's level of competition.
Ditcheva has long been linked with a move to the UFC and a potential superfight against Valentina Shevchenko. It will be interesting to see what opportunities—and challenges—the newly formed MVP MMA can offer her going forward.
Will Fleury vs. Makhmud Muradov – OKTAGON Light Heavyweight Title
Ireland's Will Fleury (17-3) has authored one of the biggest fairy tales in combat sports with his remarkable run through the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions in OKTAGON over the past two years.
Since signing with the Czech-based promotion in 2024, Fleury has won and defended titles in both divisions while putting together an incredible six-fight winning streak.
Saturday's defense of his 205-pound title against Makhmud Muradov (29-8) comes just six weeks after his most recent heavyweight title defense, when he knocked out the dangerous Kasim Aras at OKTAGON 90 in Berlin.
Originally scheduled to run it back with Daniel Škvor—the man he defeated in his promotional debut two years ago—Fleury instead finds himself facing a much tougher challenge at OKTAGON 92 in Prague.
The Uzbek veteran hasn't tasted defeat since dropping a decision to Caio Borralho at UFC 280 nearly four years ago.
The 36-year-old outpointed Patrik Kincl to capture the OKTAGON interim middleweight title in his most recent outing, making this weekend's showdown a true clash of the titans.
