Sergio Pettis got the action going in a big way at the PFL Champions Series 3 card in Dubai on Friday.
After a mixed bag of decisions on the early card that was snapped by an upset of heavyweight Slim Trabelsi by the little-known Pouya Rahmani, the first couple of main card bouts likewise went to the judges. Pettis, however, had no intention of following suit.
Down on the scorecards to Magomed Magomedov, Pettis pulled out the come-from-behind victory late in the second round, firing a spinning back elbow in close that connected flush with the Russian’s temple. Magomedov flailed, falling backwards, and a single follow-up strike by Pettis, a former Bellator bantamweight champ and UFC contender, put him out cold.
The end came 4:31 of the second round, giving Pettis (25-7) his second victory of 2025, and second under the Bellator MMA banner. Voicing a message of peace and unity in a time of unprecedented racial, religious, and political strife, Pettis also called for a fight with PFL World Tournament winner Lazaro Dayron.
SERGIO PETTIS GET THE KO WIN WITH A NASTY ELBOW 😱 #RoadtoDubai pic.twitter.com/42dZh0WUTD
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 3, 2025
As for Magomed Magomedov, he falls to 21-5, and continues he recent streak of trading wins and losses. Magomedov’s five losses have come against just four fighters: Pettis, Raufeon Stots, Patchy Mix (twice), and former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan.
Official Result: Sergio Pettis def. Magomed Magomedov by KO (spinning back elbow/punch), Round 2, 4:31
