The Professional Fighters League made its explosive debut in the Middle East with PFL Dubai: Champions Series, delivering high stakes, high tension, and a fair share of controversy. At the center of it all was Usman Nurmagomedov, who remained undefeated and captured the inaugural PFL lightweight title with a hard-fought decision victory over Paul Hughes in a rematch that left fans divided.
Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2: Controversy Clouds Victory
After an instant classic in their first encounter, the rematch between Usman Nurmagomedov (20-0, 1 NC) and Paul Hughes (13-3) was billed as one of the most anticipated bouts in PFL history. What fans got was a tactical, gritty five-round battle filled with drama — and fouls.
Nurmagomedov controlled the early rounds with his signature kicking arsenal and persistent takedown threats. He frequently found Hughes’ back and pressed the action in the clinch. But the Irishman rallied back, landing sharp hooks and defending takedowns more effectively in the middle rounds.
The fight took a turn in the final frame, as Nurmagomedov landed another takedown and connected with clean strikes while a clash of heads and repeated low blows earlier in the fight went unpenalized.
The judges scored it 50-45, 49-46, and 48-47 for Nurmagomedov — with the 50-45 card from judge Bryan Miner sparking widespread backlash across the MMA community.
Many fans and analysts labeled the scorecard one of the worst of the year, citing Hughes’ momentum in rounds two and three as clearly competitive.
Post-fight, Nurmagomedov called for a showdown with PFL lightweight tournament winner Alfie Davis, while Hughes will have to regroup following his second loss to the Dagestani standout.
Corey Anderson Grinds Out Dominant Title Win
In the co-main event, former Bellator contender Corey Anderson outwrestled Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov to claim the first-ever PFL light heavyweight title. Anderson leaned heavily on takedowns, pressure, and top control to shut down Yagshimuradov across five rounds.
While Yagshimuradov landed a few heavy punches early, his offense faded under Anderson’s suffocating pace. The judges scored the bout 49-45, 48-47, and 49-45, all in favor of Anderson.
It was a quintessential Corey Anderson performance — calculated, grinding, and dominant when it mattered most.
Full Fight Card Results – PFL Dubai
| Division | Result |
|---|---|
| Lightweight Championship | Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47) |
| Light Heavyweight Championship | Corey Anderson def. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov via unanimous decision (49-45, 48-47, 49-45) |
| Bantamweight | Sergio Pettis def. Magomed Magomedov via KO (spinning back elbow and punches) – R2, 4:31 |
| Lightweight | Archie Colgan def. Jay-Jay Wilson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) |
| Catchweight (140 lb) | Jack Cartwright def. Caolan Loughran via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) |
| Heavyweight | Pouya Rahmani def. Slim Trabelsi via TKO (punches) – R1, 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 (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) |
| Lightweight | Takeshi Izumi def. Vinicius Sacchelli 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 (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) |
Takeaways from PFL Dubai
- Usman Nurmagomedov remains undefeated, but the controversy surrounding the decision may linger longer than the belt around his waist.
- Paul Hughes once again proves he’s elite, and may be closer to gold than the scorecards suggest.
- Corey Anderson finally wears championship gold, validating years of hard work in both the UFC and Bellator.
- Sergio Pettis lands a highlight-reel knockout, stealing the show with a spinning elbow heard around the world.
Strike and Roll will continue following the 2025 PFL Champions Series as it unfolds. Stay connected for exclusive breakdowns, fighter features, and post-fight analysis from every corner of the fight world.
