The PFL is back for its first event of 2025. Last weekend, we saw Khabib Nurmagomedov coach his two cousins at UFC 311. He went 1-1 as Umar Nurmagomedov lost to Merab Dvalishvili, but Islam Makhachev successfully defended his lightweight championship against Renato Moicano. Coach Khabib will return this weekend to help Usman Nurmagomedov defend his championship against rising star and Ireland’s own Paul Hughes.
It is being billed as Dagastan vs. Ireland 2, and rightfully so. Although each organization is different, they have one thing in common: that two elite fighters will defend their home countries. The last time we saw Ireland vs. Dagestan was when Conor McGregor fought Khabib at UFC 229 in October 2018. Khabib won that bout by submission. Usman, 26, is the younger brother of Umar Nurmagomedov. He is a massive -575 favorite, while Hughes is +425 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Although this is for the Bellator Lightweight championship, that won’t happen soon. The PFL recently announced that the Bellator name and brand will disappear shortly. The co-main event is a three-round heavyweight bout between former Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov and Tim Johnson. Nemkov never lost his title and finished his reign with four defenses. He beat Bruno Cappelozza in his PFL and heavyweight debut in February 2024. Nemkov is a massive favorite in this contest at -1800.
There is another bout on this card, which is Ireland vs. Dagestan. Akhmed Magomedov is facing Nathan Kelly in a featherweight fight. Magomedov is coming off his first career loss to Gnery Corrales and hasn’t fought since February 2023. Kelly is on an 11-fight win streak while being 4-0 in PFL and 3-0 under the Bellator banner. Kelly is the underdog in this contest at +205 on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Magomedov is -250.
Main Card | 11:00 a.m. ET | MAX/DAZN
Bellator Lightweight Championship
Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes
Heavyweight Bout
Vadim Nemkov vs. Tim Johnson
Featherweight Bout
Akhmed Magomedov vs. Nathan Kelly
Featherweight Bout
Ibragim Ibragimov vs. Kenny Mokhonoana
Bantamweight Bout
Renat Khavalov vs. Cleiver Fernandes
Preliminary Card:
Middleweight Bout:
Tarek Suleiman vs. Ahmed Samy
Middleweight Bout:
Yakub Sulimanov vs. Jarrah Al-Selawe
Lightweight Bout:
Mirafzal Akhtamov vs. Mike Thompson
Flyweight Bout:
Hadi Omar Al Hussaini vs. Ruel Pañales
Lightweight Bout:
John Mitchell vs. Souhil Tairi
Middleweight Bout:
Mostafa Nada vs. Haider Khan
