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PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series Results & Highlights – Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes

A lightweight title fight officially closed out Bellator's chapter in MMA history.
Drew Beaupre|
(PFL MMA)

The PFL kicked off its 2025 schedule on Saturday when Road to Dubai Champions Series took place at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE.

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes

The card’s main event was a lightweight title bout between undefeated Bellator Champion Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes.

(Exclusive) Paul Hughes Embraces "Destiny" in PFL Main Event with Usman Nurmagomedov

The PFL confirmed ahead of the event that Nurmagomedov’s Bellator title would be on the line for what was the final fight in that promotion’s history, and Hughes very nearly took the belt in a high-paced war that the champion ultimately won via majority decision.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Tim Johnson

The night’s co-main event was a heavyweight matchup featuring former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Vadim Nemkov taking on UFC and Bellator veteran Tim Johnson.

A planned Nemkov vs. Ante Delija matchup was scrapped due to a Delija injury before a trilogy bout with Corey Anderson also fell through, and Namekov made short work of Johnson after the heavyweight veteran stepped up on just a few weeks' notice.

(Exclusive) Usman Nurmagomedov on Paul Hughes & PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series

The Road to Dubai main card also saw Akhmed Magomedov submit Nathan Kelly in their featherweight matchup and Ibragim Ibragimov extend his undefeated record again Kenny Mokhonoana. Renat Khavalov opened the main card with a win against Cleiver Fernandes, and the event also featured a six-fight preliminary card.

You can check out highlights from all the action below, followed by full results for every matchup at PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series.

Talal Alqallaf def. Saeed Alhosani

Haider Khan def. Mostafa Neda

John Mitchell def. Souhil Tairi

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def. Ruel Panales

Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Mike Thompson

Ahmed Samy def. Tarek Suleiman

Renat Khavalov vs. Cleiver Fernandes

Ibragim Ibragimov def. Kenny Mokhonoana

Akhmed Magomedov def. Nathan Kelly

Vadim Nemkov def. Tim Johnson

Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes

PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series (MAX, 11:00 a.m. ET)

• Main Event: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via Majority Decision (47-47, 48-46x2) – For the Bellator Lightweight Championship

• Co-Main Event: Vadim Nemkov def. Tim Johnson via Submission (Rear Naked Choke): R1, 3:09

• Akhmed Magomedov def. Nathan Kelly via Submission (Rear Naked Choke): R2, 4:22

• Ibragim Ibragimov def. Kenny Mokhonoana via Unanimous Decision (30-27x3)

• Renat Khavalov vs. Cleiver Fernandes via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28x2)

• Ahmed Samy def. Tarek Suleiman via TKO: R1, 5:00

• Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Mike Thompson via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke): R2, 2:50

• Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def. Ruel Panales via Unanimous Decision (30-27x2, 29-28)

• John Mitchell def. Souhil Tairi via Unanimous Decision (30-27x3)

• Haider Khan def. Mostafa Neda via TKO: R1, 3:18

• Talal Alqallaf def. Saeed Alhosani via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)

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Drew Beaupre
DREW BEAUPRE

Drew is an MMA writer that regularly watches regional events in addition to major promotions such as the UFC, PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023.

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