Usman Nurmagomedov beat Paul Hughes by majority decision, 47-47, 48-46 and 48-46, to keep the Bellator lightweight title at PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai on January 25, 2025, at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The two met again on October 3, 2025, in the same arena, and Nurmagomedov won the rematch by unanimous decision for the PFL lightweight world title.
Road to Dubai results, January 25, 2025
| Winner | Loser | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Usman Nurmagomedov | Paul Hughes | Majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46) |
| Vadim Nemkov | Tim Johnson | Submission, rear-naked choke, round 1, 3:08 |
| Akhmed Magomedov | Nathan Kelly | Submission, rear-naked choke, round 2, 4:22 |
| Ibragim Ibragimov | Kenny Mokhonoana | Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) |
| Renat Khavalov | Cleiver Fernandes | Unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) |
| Ahmed Sami | Tarek Suleiman | TKO, round 1, 5:00 |
| Mirafzal Akhtamov | Mike Thompson | Technical submission, arm-triangle choke, round 2, 2:50 |
| Hadi Omar Al Hussaini | Ruel Panales | Unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27) |
| John Mitchell | Souhil Tairi | Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) |
| Haider Khan | Mostafa Nada | TKO (injury), round 1, 3:18 |
The main event went all five rounds, and it was the only decision on the card that was not unanimous: one judge had it a draw, and the other two gave Nurmagomedov a two-point edge. Three bouts ended inside the first round, including Nemkov’s submission of Johnson in 3:08.
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Nurmagomedov and Hughes fought again at Coca-Cola Arena on October 3, 2025, with the PFL lightweight world title on the line. This time all three judges scored it for Nurmagomedov: 50-45, 49-46 and 48-47. Across the two fights he won five of the six scorecards, and the other was a draw.
What is next in the PFL
The PFL goes back to Dubai on November 14, 2026, and Vadim Nemkov, who won on the Road to Dubai card, headlines it.
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 16, 2026 | PFL Chicago: Carmouche vs. Bishop 2 | Wintrust Arena, Chicago |
| November 14, 2026 | PFL Dubai: Nemkov vs. Bilostenniy | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai |
| December 19, 2026 | PFL Lyon: Lapilus vs. McKee | LDLC Arena, Lyon |
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