Dubai to host two PFL world title fights in October

NEW YORK: The Professional Fighters League has announced a championship double-header for its return to the UAE, as two PFL world title bouts will headline PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai - The Rematch on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Coca-Cola Arena.

The biggest rematch in PFL history takes center stage, as Dagestan’s undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov (19‑0, 1 NC) and Ireland’s Paul Hughes (14‑2) battle for the PFL lightweight title in the main event.

In the co-main event, former Bellator light heavyweight champion Corey Anderson (19-6) will face 2024 PFL light heavyweight tournament champion Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1) for the PFL light heavyweight title.

Three bouts have also been confirmed for the early card, including a heavyweight wrestling clash between former Iranian national team member Pouya Rahmani (4-0) and Tunisian Olympian Slim Trabelsi (8-0), both of whom will be looking to preserve their undefeated records.

The second is a grudge match nearly seven years in the making between Zubaira Tukhugov (20-6-1) and Artem Lobov (14-15-1). Originally planned for 2018, the matchup was scrapped following the UFC 229 post-fight brawl and subsequent suspensions.

Finally, 2024 PFL MENA welterweight champion Omar El-Dafrawy (14-5) of Egypt will fight 2024 PFL Europe welterweight champion Florim Zendeli (10-1-1) of Albania in a battle of the regional tournament winners, both of whom are in the midst of multi-fight unbeaten streaks.

Additional main card and early card bouts will be announced at a later date.

The October event is part of PFL’s multi-year partnership with the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

Since its launch in November, the Road to Dubai campaign has brought a series of PFL