Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes faced off for the second time on Friday, at the PFL Champions Series 3 card.
Or, if you prefer, the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai – The Rematch card.
While a bit of a mouthful, “The Rematch” was very much a rematch fans all wanted to see. Perhaps the most anticipated MMA fight of the year outside of the UFC, after Nurmagomedov and Hughes put on an instant classic in their first meeting. Now for the PFL’s lightweight title, in place of its Bellator counterpart.
That was just the sort of result the Professional Fighters League was looking for when they signed “Big News” Hughes out from under the UFC.
The Rematch wasn’t the only worth fight on Friday’s PFL Champions Series 3 card, however. Also featured, a second title fight, with Corey Anderson facing Dovlet Yagshimuradov for light heavyweight gold.
Where to Watch the PFL Champions Series
PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai – The Rematch takes place on Friday, October 3, 2025 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE. The card streams live on ESPN Unlimited in the U.S., and DAZN in parts of Europe. Full results can be found below. The action gets underway at 11:30AM ET, 8:30AM PT.
PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai – The Rematch Results
Main Card
Lightweight: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47) – for the PFL lightweight world championship
Light Heavyweight: Corey Anderson def. Dovlet Yagshimuradov by unanimous decision (49-45, 48-47, 49-45) – for the PFL light heavyweight world championship
Bantamweight: Sergio Pettis def. Magomed Magomedov by KO (spinning elbow and punch), Round 2, 4:31
Lightweight: Archie Colgan def. Jay-Jay Wilson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Bantamweight: Jack Cartwright def. Caolan Loughran by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary Card
Heavyweight: Pouya Rahmani def. Slim Trabelsi by TKO (punches), Round 1, 2:47
Welterweight: Florim Zendeli def. Omar El Dafrawy via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight: Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Luann Sardinha via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight: Takeshi Izumi def. Vinicius Cenci via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight: Makkasharip Zaynukov def. John Mitchell via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
Middleweight: Jarrah Al-Selawe def. Gregory Babene via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
