PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai Full Results

Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes, PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai
Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes, Ceremonial Weigh-ins during 2025 PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE, Friday, January 24, 2025. (Jose Peñuela / PFL)

The Professional Fighters League kicked off its 2025 campaign on Saturday with PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai… headlined by a Bellator title fight.

As is well known by now, the PFL is doing away with the Bellator brand, though its champions (mostly, minus Patricio Pitbull) will fight on. What had briefly become the Bellator Champions Series is now PFL Champions Series, or simply Champions Series. Still, there is a very, very promising lightweight title fight in store for fight fans on Saturday, as champ Usman Nurmagomedov takes on budding star Paul Hughes.

Neither man would look out of place on the UFC roster, and both had built up stellar resumes in their runs to the top. Both men were also hitting their prime, with Nurmagomedov 26 and Hughes 27. And the Russia versus Ireland narrative reminiscent of Usman’s cousin Khabib and the notorious Conor McGregor? Just the icing on the cake.

Where to Watch PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai

Saturday, January 25, 2025 sees PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai take place at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE. The card airs live on HBO MAX in the U.S. starting at 11AM ET, 8AM PT, Fight Network in Canada, and on DAZN in Europe. Full results from the event can be found below.

PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai Results

Main Card

Usman Nurmagomedov (c) def. Paul Hughes by majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46) – for the Bellator MMA lightweight championship
Vadim Nemkov def. Tim Johnson by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:08
Akhmed Magomedov def. Nathan Kelly by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:22
Ibragim Ibragimov def. Kenny Mokhonoana by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Renat Khavalov def. Cleiver Fernandes by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Card

Ahmed Samy def. Tarek Suleiman by TKO, Round 1, 5:00
Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Mike Thompson by technical submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2, 2:50
Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def. Ruel Panales by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
John Mitchell def. Souhil Tairi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Haider Khan def. Mostafa Nada by TKO (injury), Round 1, 3:18
Talal Alqallaf def. Saeed Alhosani by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-27) – Amateur bout