The Professional Fighters League is embarking on a critical year, kicking off its 2026 with PFL: Road to Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE on Saturday.
Gone is PFL founder Donn Davis. Gone is longtime exec, PFL President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo. Gone too is former PFL CEO Peter Murray. After an apparent cleaning of the house, John Martin is now firmly in place as the PFL’s CEO, and he has his work cut out for him.
Francis Ngannou has been nowhere to be found, and Cris Cyborg is nearing retirement. With Kayla Harrison departed for the UFC, and Ryan Bader off to RIZIN, the league is low on star power, but Usman Nurmagomedov remains a bright spot.
Nurmagomedov, who came in as part of the PFL’s Bellator acquisition, is 27, undefeated at 20-0, 1NC, and now holds lightweight gold. After back-to-back wins over Paul Hughes, the cousin of UFC legend Khabib now takes on PFL World Tournament lightweight winner Alfie Davis to top PFL: Road to Dubai.
Results from Saturday, Feb. 7’s PFL: Road to Dubai card can be found below.
PFL: Road to Dubai – Nurmagomedov vs. Davis Results
Main Card
Usman Nurmagomedov (c) def. Alfie Davis by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 4:41 – for the PFL lightweight championship
Ramazan Kuramagomedov def. Shamil Musaev by unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 48-46) – for the vacant PFL welterweight championship
Abdoul Abdouraguimov def. Kendly St. Louis by majority decision (30-27, 29-29, 30-27)
Salamat Isbulaev def. Jesus Pinedo by submission (strikes), Round 1, 4:57
Pouya Rahmani def. Karl Williams by submission (arm-triangle), Round 2, 3:41
Preliminary Card
Amru Magomedov def. Kolton Englund by TKO (ground n’ pound), Round 1, 0:37
Taylor Lapilus def. Kasum Kasumov by TKO (punches), Round 3, 0:47
Renat Khavalov def. Edgars Skrivers by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Amin Ayoub def. Makkasharip Zaynukov by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Denise Kielholtz def. Antonia Silvaneide by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Luke Trainer def. Rob Wilkinson by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 3:48
Khabib Nabiev def. Ahmed Sami by TKO (ground-and-pound), Round 2, 2:26
Jhony Gregory def. Haider Khan by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 1:18
