The PFL returns with a massive rematch between Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes for the Lightweight World Championship. Nurmagomedov beat Hughes via majority decision in January, and a rematch was inevitable with how close a fight it was. This event is being hosted at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Friday, October 3.
Usman Nurmagomedov is 19-0 with 14 finishes, while Hughes is 14-2 with 10 finishes. Since their previous fight, Hughes picked up a knockout victory against Bruno Miranda in May. Hughes’ loss against Nurmagomedov was his lone defeat in the last four years, as he has gone 8-1 in his previous nine bouts.
Regardless of promotion, this is one of the best matchups in MMA right now. Nurmagomedov and Hughes are both in their prime, each possessing a versatile skill set. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Hughes is a +210 underdog while Nurmagomedov is a -258 favorite.
The second title fight on this card is for the new PFL Light Heavyweight Championship. Former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Corey Anderson faces 2024 PFL Champion Dovlet Yagshimuradov in a five-round title bout. Yagshimuradov is 25-7-1 with 18 finishes and has won seven straight fights since his last loss in 2021. This is the second fight between the two, as Anderson won by TKO at Bellator 257 in April 2021. Since leaving the UFC, Anderson has been dominant, going 6-1 with four knockouts. Anderson is a -218 favorite as Yagshimuradov is the underdog at +180.
The third marquee matchup on this card is a Bantamweight fight between former Bellator Champion Sergio Pettis and Magomed Magomedov. Pettis is coming off a victory against Rafeon Stots in June, while Magomedov recently defeated Sarvarjon Khamidov. In this contest, Magomedov is a -245 favorite, with Pettis being a +200 underdog on DraftKings Sportsbook.
The PFL Champions Series Dubai: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2 Main Card starts at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN Unlimited. Check out the entire 11-fight card below.
Full Card
Lightweight World Championship Bout: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes
Light Heavyweight World Championship Bout: Corey Anderson vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov
Bantamweight Bout: Magomed Magomedov vs. Sergio Pettis
Lightweight Bout: Archie Colgan vs. Jay Jay Wilson
Catchweight (160 Pounds) Bout: Jack Cartwright vs. Caolan Loughran
Heavyweight Bout: Pouya Rahmani vs. Slim Trabelsi
Welterweight Bout: Omar El Dafrawy vs. Florim Zendeli
Lightweight Bout: Luann Sardinha vs. Mirafzal Akhtamov
Lightweight Bout: Takeshi Izumi vs. Vinicius Cenci
Lightweight Bout: Makkasharip Zaynukov vs. John Mitchell
Middleweight Bout: Jarrah Al-Silawi vs. Gregory Babene
