Both title fights at Friday’s PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai – The Rematch event had their share of fouls early.
In the co-headliner, it was back-to-back eye pokes landed by Dovlet Yaghimuradov on ex-Bellator champ and UFC contender Corey Anderson, giving “Overtime” some adversity to fight through. In the main event, a rematch between Bellator lightweight champ Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul “Big News” Hughes, it was a low blow suffered by the challenger.
Both fighters were able to carry on.
For Anderson, the full twenty-five minutes were required to secure a second major title in MMA. The American was given a frosty reception by fans in Dubai, UAE during his entrance, but ignored it and fought his fight, falling back on his wrestling after taking some damage immediately following the consecutive eye pokes – going on to win a unanimous decision with scores of 49-45, 48-47, 49-45.
Despite all three judges awarding Anderson the victory, the 48-47 score still raised eyebrows, with most observers feeling Anderson had won four of the five rounds. A rematch of the pair’s 2021 meeting that also saw Anderson emerge victorious, the right man had his hand raised regardless.
Corey Anderson has now won titles with both Bellator and the PFL since requesting his release from the UFC back in 2020, a wise decision in retrospect.
As for the main event, Paul Hughes showed solid takedown defense early on in his own rematch with Usman Nurmagomedov. That defense faltered in the championship rounds, with Nurmagomedov getting Hughes down in round four with a trip; he briefly took the back. Usman, however, didn’t do much with the position, catching a breather more than anything before Hughes escaped.
Champ Nurmagomedov had won the pair’s first encounter earlier in 2025, claiming victory in a tight majority decision victory and becoming the first man to defeat Norther Ireland’s Hughes. The rematch, as a result, was one of 2025’s most anticipated non-UFC MMA fights.
Hughes, however, was showing damage by the end of round four, and when he did find his way inside on the champ, he wasn’t able to connect with anything significant. Eating a body shot and nearly a high kick from Nurmagomedov late in the round, Hughes headed to the final frame possibly in need of a finish.
He’d connect with a jab early, only for Nurmagomedov to later dump in. Hughes scrambled up, and was in the fight throughout. Another foul halted the action, an accidental clash of heads, with little over a minute remaining. Still, it was clear the judges were going to be required to determine the outcome of the main event. And while close (and with some concern about questionable judging earlier in the night), there was little question Usman Nurmagomedov would be retaining his title, especially after one final takedown in the fifth.
Official Result: Corey Anderson def. Dovlet Yagshimuradov by unanimous decision (49-45, 48-47, 49-45)
Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
