Usman Nurmagomedov is set to defend his lightweight championship against Paul Hughes at PFL’S Road to Dubai Champion Series. The heated build-up for the fight caught everyone’s attention. Here’s a look at the details about the event.
Event Details
- Date: January 25, 2025, Saturday
- Venue: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai,
- Time: The event is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM ET (4:00 PM GMT).
MMA fans can watch all the live actions through the mentioned platforms on the official website of PFL. Whereas, USA and European fans can watch it through the MAX and DAZN platform respectively.
PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Complete match card
Main Card
Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0, 1 NC) vs. Paul Hughes (13-1) – Bellator Lightweight Championship
Vadim Nemkov (18-2, 1 NC) vs. Tim Johnson (18-10) – Heavyweight bout
Akhmed Magomedov (10-1, 1 NC) vs. Nathan Kelly (11-2) – Featherweight Bout
Preliminary matches
Ibragim Ibragimov (8-0) vs. Kenny Mokhonoana (5-1) – Featherweight Bout
Renat Khavalov (8-0) vs. Cleiver Fernandes (9-1) – Bantamweight Bout
Tarek Suleiman (13-8, 1 NC) vs. Ahmed Samy (11-4) – Middleweight Bout
Yakub Sulimanov (7-0) vs. Jarrah Al-Selawe (20-7) – Middleweight Bout
Mirafzal Akhtamov (7-0-1) vs. Mike Thompson (7-2) – Lightweight Bout
Hadi Omar Al Hussaini (5-1-1) vs. Ruel Pañales (5-2, 1 NC) – Flyweight Bout
John Mitchell (9-2) vs. Souhil Tairi (7-5-1) – Lightweight Bout
Mostafa Nada (9-3) vs. Haider Khan (8-1) – Middleweight Bout
Amateur Bout
Saeed Alhosani (amateur 4-2) vs. Talal Alqallaf (amateur 2-0) – Amateur Lightweight Bout
The event caught the attention of MMA fans due to a heated verbal exchange between the two main eventers and their respective team members.
Khabib motivates Usman Nurmagomedov to prove he is the best
Khabib’s statements about Irish MMA fighters did not sit well with many MMA fans. Conor McGregor jumped into the debate and fired shots at his former opponent. At UFC 311, Usman Nurmagomedov lost his bantamweight title fight against Merab Dvalishvili which was the family’s first MMA defeat.
After a tough week, the retired former UFC lightweight champion came out with a social media post to motivate his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov.
Khabib said, “Defeat is a lesson, but the true test of a fighter is how they respond to it. Usman, this is your time to remind the world of what the Nurmagomedov name stands for. Strength, discipline, and honor. Go into that cage and show them why you’re the champion.”
Dagestan vs Ireland in 2018 between Khabib and McGregor was the best PPV match for UFC and now the PFL lightweight title bout seems like part 2 of the infamous bout. The hopes are high from the fans and both players have the pressure to either dominate or equalize the Dagestani vs Irish rivalry.
After Khabib’s comments, this fight became crucial for his cousin Usman, as he is carrying the Dagestani legacy on his shoulders. And above that it will be important to restore the family reputation by winning this match and prove himself as the best in the lightweight division.
On the other hand, Paul Hughes is looking forward to repeat 2018 history with result in the favor of Irish this time and settle scores in the rivalry.
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REDDAVENI SAISNEHA 
Ashvinkumar Patil