PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series
Main Card:
Saturday, January 25th – Live on MAX / DAZN
Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
11am ET / 4pm GMT / 8pm Local
Bellator Lightweight World Championship bout
Usman Nurmagomedov (154.9 lbs.) vs. Paul Hughes (155 lbs.)
Heavyweight bout
Vadim Nemkov (242.4 lbs.) vs.
Tim Johnson (264.2 lbs.)
Featherweight bout
Akhmed Magomedov (145.7 lbs.) vs. Nathan Kelly (145.6 lbs.)
Catchweight bout (147 lbs.)
Ibragim Ibragimov (146 lbs.) vs.
Kenny Mokhonoana (147 lbs.)*
*missed weight
Bantamweight bout
Renat Khavalov (136 lbs.) vs.
Cleiver Fernandes (135.9 lbs.)
PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series Preliminary Card:
Catchweight bout (199 lbs.)
Tarek Suleiman (194 lbs.) vs.
Ahmed Samy (199.6 lbs.)*
*missed weight
Lightweight bout
Mirafzal Akhtamov (156 lbs.) vs.
Mike Thompson (155.4 lbs.)
Flyweight bout
Hadi Omar Al Hussaini (125.3 lbs.) vs. Ruel Panales (126 lbs.)
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The headlining bout will see reigning Bellator Lightweight World Champion Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) of Russia put his title on the line against Irish rising star Paul "Big News" Hughes (13-1). Nurmagomedov weighed in at 154.9-pounds while Hughes weighed in at 155-pounds.
In the co-main event, Heavyweights go head-to-head, as former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Vadim Nemkov (18-2, 1NC) of Russia faces Tim Johnson (18-10) of the United States. Nemkov weighed in at 242.4-pounds, while Johnson weighed in at 264.2.
Also on the card, Featherweights throw down, as Akhmed Magomedov (10-1) of Russia meets Ireland's Nathan Kelly (11-2). Magomedov weighed in at 145.7-pounds, while Kelly weighed-in at 145.6-pounds.
PICS COURTESY OF PFL
The undercard for Professional Fighters League's inaugural Road to Dubai Champions Series event on Saturday, January 25 has been released and features Hadi Al Hussaini and Youssef Al Housani from the United Arab Emirates
Dubai, United Arab Emirates –: The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, has released the full Road to Dubai Champions Series undercard, featuring top athletes from the United Arab Emirates and around the world.
The marquee preliminary bout of the night will see Tarek Suleiman (13-8) square off against Ahmed "Lee" Samy (11-4). Dubai's very own Hadi Omar Al Hussaini (5-1-1) will be looking to get back to winning ways after losing his undefeated record in his PFL debut this past July, as he fights in front of a home crowd against former RSF champion Ruel "Bagsik" Pañales (5-2).
Dubai-based fighter, Yakub Sulimanov (7-0) will put his unblemished record on the line against Jordan's experienced Jarrah "Jordanian Lion" Al-Selawe (20-7). While Dubai's 971 Academy product John Mitchell (9-2), a five-time Irish MMA champion, will enter the SmartCage against PFL MENA's Algerian competitor Souhil Tairi (7-5-1).
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In addition, Emirati fighter, Youssef Al Housani (4-1), will face off against Egypt's undefeated Assem Ghanem (4-0). Saudi Arabia's Mostafa Nada (9-3) riding a five-fight win streak, will face the British-Pakistani PFL debutant Haider "Darth" Khan (8-1) who has won his last four bouts.
The undercard will also feature Dubai-based Uzbek fighter, the undefeated Mirafzal "Mirko" Akhtamov (7-0-1), who has an impressive six finishes in his career, will take on England's knockout specialist, Mike "Lefty" Thompson (7-2), with five of his seven victories coming by way of KO/TKO.
Road to Dubai Champions Series is the inaugural "Road to Dubai" event following the signing of a groundbreaking multi-year partnership between the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai Sports Council (DSC), and the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
The event will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Coca-Cola Arena, located in Dubai's City Walk and is headlined by the returning "Pride of Dagestan," undefeated Bellator Lightweight World Champion, Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0). He will look to defend his title against Ireland's Paul "Big News" Hughes (13-1) who is coming off the biggest victory of his MMA career at PFL "Battle of the Giants" after defeating AJ McKee.
The first-of-its-kind partnership will see MMA world champions and the sport's biggest stars from the PFL compete in title fights as Dubai becomes a marquee destination for the best of MMA. All other Champions Series events will now be co-branded as "Road to Dubai", as each show culminates to the finale set in the new fight capital. As part of the PFL's commitment to developing the sport of MMA in Dubai, rising Emirati star fighters will now have a pathway to become future PFL Champions.
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PFL is the only organisation in MMA with a sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. The PFL roster boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight class, the same percentage as UFC.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — Professional Fighters League, in partnership with the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation (SMMAF) held Championships of the 2024 PFL Global Season and the first-ever PFL MENA Season on Friday at King Saud University. Following an exciting night of action on ESPN+ and DAZN, ten new champions were crowned.
In the main event, Timur Khizriev (18-0) coasted to a unanimous decision win against 2023 PFL Featherweight Champion Brendan Loughnane (30-6). It was ultimately Khizriev's world-class grappling and pace that was the difference, as Khizriev became the fourth Russian PFL athlete to win a Championship in 2024.
The co-main event saw the culmination of Dakota Ditcheva's (14-0) meteoric rise to top of the sport, as the former PFL Europe Champion finished former UFC title challenger Talia Santos (22-4) and laid claim to the 2024 PFL Women's Flyweight Championship. It was a perfect season for the 26-year-old, who finished all four of her opponents en route to the title.
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The pride of Turkmenistan Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov (25-7-1), shocked the 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Impa Kasanganay (18-5) in 58-seconds to claim the 2024 Championship. A victor in his first PFL season, Yagshimuradov brings the first major global MMA title to his home nation of Turkmenistan.
In a battle of unbeaten Russian Welterweights, Shamil Musaev (20-0-1) handed Magomed Umalatov (17-1) the first defeat of his career, following a flurry of strikes that ended that bout nearly two minutes into the second round. With arguably the most impressive run in the 2024 Global Season, "The Silent Assassin" now has championship gold and a one-million-dollar check to prove it.
Photo's courtesy of PFL
Gadzhi Rabadanov (24-4-2) is the 2024 PFL Lightweight World Champion following a vicious third round knockout of former Bellator Champion Brent Primus (15-4). Training alongside Bellator Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov, and under the tutelage of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Rabadanov now brings another 155-pound championship home to Russia.
After multiple unsuccessful attempts at winning the PFL Championship, sambo champion Denis Goltsov (36-8) finally captured PFL gold as he completed the Global Season as champion, finishing fellow Russian Oleg Popov (29-2) via submission in the opening round.
FULL WEIGH-IN RESULTS & PHOTOS FOR THE 2024
PFL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — The 2024 PFL Global Season and the first-ever PFL MENA Season come to an electric conclusion tomorrow following today's official weigh-ins. Live from King Saud University and in partnership with the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation (SMMAF), the Professional Fighters League will crown ten champions when all is said and done on Friday.
Riyadh once again played host to another monumental night of fights as 2022 PFL Featherweight Champion Brendan Loughnane (30-5) looks to claim gold once again versus the undefeated Timur Khizriev (17-0). The critically acclaimed 2023 PFL Europe World Champion Dakota Ditcheva (13-0) will take on her toughest test to date as she squares off against former title challenger Talia Santos (22-3). 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight World Champion Impa Kasanganay (18-4) aims to have history repeat itself, when he collides against Bellator veteran Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov (24-7-1). In the Welterweight division, Russia's Magomed Umalatov (17-0) will square off against fellow countryman Shamil Musaev (19-0-1), while former Bellator Lightweight World Champion Brent Primus (15-3, 1 NC) faces the dangerous Gadzhi Rabadanov (23-4-2). Lastly in the Heavyweight division, a pair of Russian heavy-hitters in Denis Goltsov (19-1) and Oleg Popov (35-8) will battle for the $1 million grand prize and coveted PFL strap.
Photo's courtesy of PFL
Video's courtesy of PFL
Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David "El Monstro" Benavidez and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion David Morrell Jr. weigh in ahead of their heated showdown this weekend!
One of the best matchups in all of boxing is going down this Saturday, February 1, as Benavidez and Morrell, two undefeated champions, meet in an epic clash of hard-hitting rivals in the main event of PBC Pay-Per-View on Prime Video (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Today's weigh-in will begin at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT and can be viewed live on the PBC YouTube channel. It will include all the fighters appearing on the PBC Pay-Per-View, with a co-main event featuring WBC Featherweight World Champion Brandon "The Heartbreaker" Figueroa defending his title against former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. in a rematch of one of 2021's best fights.
Also, Mexican star and former world champion Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz faces the hard-charging contender Angel Fierro in an all-Mexican super lightweight duel, plus rising Mexican star Jesus "Mono" Ramos Jr. battles former unified champion Jeison Rosario in a 10-round middleweight fight that opens the pay-per-view.
Preceding the pay-per-view, Prime Video will stream a two-fight prelims card at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT that will be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card.
The streaming presentation will feature undefeated Argentine Olympian Mirco Cuello taking on Mexican contender Christian Olivo in a 10-round featherweight matchup, plus WBA No. 1-ranked middleweight contender Yoenli Feliciano Hernandez stepping in against all-action contender Angel Ruiz in a 10-round duel that opens up the live stream.
THREE TITLE SHOWDOWNS ADDED TO LOADED
GERVONTA DAVIS VS. LAMONT ROACH PBC PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT ON PRIME VIDEO SATURDAY, MARCH 1
WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela Battles Hard-Hitting Top Contender Gary Antuanne Russell in Co-Main Event from Barclays Center
in Brooklyn
WBC Super Lightweight World Champion Alberto Puello Duels Top-Rated Mandatory Challenger
Sandor Martin
&
Rising Star Yoenis Tellez Duels Former Unified Champion Julian Williams for Interim WBA Super Welterweight Title in Pay-Per-View Opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
BROOKLYN – January 21, 2025 – Three title bouts, including two explosive 140-pound world championship showdowns and a 154-pound crossroads matchup between a rising star and former unified champion, will round out a loaded PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, March 1 headlined by a lightweight title showdown between boxing superstar and reigning WBA Lightweight World Champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Lamont Roach from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela will take on hard-hitting top contender Gary Antuanne Russell in the co-main event, plus WBC Super Lightweight World Champion Alberto Puello defends his title against top-rated mandatory challenger Sandor Martin in a pay-per-view attraction. Kicking off the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, rising star Yoenis Tellez will take on former unified world champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams for the Interim WBA Super Welterweight Title.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now and through ticketmaster.com. The event is promoted by GTD Promotions and TGB Promotions.
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OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND PHOTOS FOR
DIEGO PACHECO VS. STEVEN NELSON
MAIN EVENT: WBO INTERNATIONAL & WBC USA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLES - 12 ROUNDS
Diego Pacheco vs. Steven Nelson
Los Angeles, California Omaha, Nebraska
22-0 (18 KOs) 20-0 (16 KOs)
166.4 LBS 168 LBS
CO-MAIN EVENT: IBF INTERNATIONAL & WBA CONTINENTAL AMERICAS LIGHTWEIGHT TITLES - 10 ROUNDS
Andy Cruz vs. Omar Salcido
Matanzas, Cuba Hermosi Sonora,Mexico
4-0 (2 KOs) 19-1 (x KOs)
134.8 LBS 134.8 LBS
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SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT – 10 ROUNDS
Ernesto Mercado Jose Pedraza
Pomona, California Caguas, Puerto Rico
16-1-1 (15 KOs) 29-6-1 (14 KOs)
142.4 LBS 143 LBS
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT – 8 ROUNDS
Leonardo Rubalcava vs. Israel Mercado
Jalisco, Mexico Pomona, California
9-0 (3 KOs) 11-1-1 (7 KOs)
141 LBS 141 LBS
SUPER WELTERWEIGHT BOUT – 6 ROUNDS
Nishant Dev vs. Alton Wiggins
Pro Debut 1-0
Haryana, India Oakland, California
155.8 LBS 156.4 LBS
LAS VEGAS – January 24, 2025 – Undefeated Super-Middleweight Diego Pacheco and his opponent, fellow undefeated contender Steven "So Cold" Nelson, met one last time for their official weigh in at the OPM Theater at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas today ahead of their clash on the Matchroom card at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas on Saturday, January 25, live worldwide on DAZN.
WBO No. 1-ranked contender Pacheco (22-0, 18 KOs), who is trained by Jose Benavidez, is also ranked No. 3 at 168-pounds by the WBC and No. 6 with the IBF. Fresh off a statement victory in August against former world title challenger Maciej Sulecki in his hometown of Los Angeles, Calif., he will be headlining his sixth show in a row and fighting for the second time in Las Vegas. His opponent, Nelson, (20-0, 16 KOs) has been hunting a big fight and now gets the chance to derail Pacheco's rise to the top and move himself into a top position. The 36-year-old last tasted action in August in Los Angeles with a fifth-round stoppage win over Marcos Rodriguez on the undercard of his good friend and fellow Omaha fighter, Terence Crawford.
Photos courtesy of Melina Pizano/Matchroom
DIEGO PACHECO VS. STEVEN NELSON FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND PHOTOS
"It's a dream come true and I'm not letting up and backing down from anybody" – Pacheco​
"I've never been this focused or worked this hard for anything in my life and it will show on Saturday" – Nelson
LAS VEGAS – January 23, 2025 – Undefeated Super-Middleweight Diego Pacheco and his opponent, fellow undefeated contender Steven "So Cold" Nelson, met at the Final Press Conference at the OPM Theater at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas today ahead of their clash on the Matchroom card at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas on Saturday, January 25, live worldwide on DAZN.
WBO No. 1-ranked contender Pacheco (22-0, 18 KOs), who is trained by Jose Benavidez, is also ranked No. 3 at 168-pounds by the WBC and No. 6 with the IBF. Fresh off a statement victory in August against former world title challenger Maciej Sulecki in his hometown of Los Angeles, Calif., he will be headlining his sixth show in a row and fighting for the second time in Las Vegas. His opponent, Nelson, (20-0, 16 KOs) has been hunting a big fight and now gets the chance to derail Pacheco's rise to the top and move himself into a top position. The 36-year-old last tasted action in August in Los Angeles with a fifth-round stoppage win over Marcos Rodriguez on the undercard of his good friend and fellow Omaha fighter, Terence Crawford.
Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
DIEGO PACHECO
"I'm more than ready for this test and I know Steven Nelson is a great fighter with a great team. I want to thank him for taking this fight and taking this amazing opportunity for both of us as we look to get to the next level. I come from the trenches too so it's going to be a fight. We are going to put on a great fight for the fans and the best man will win."
"I definitely can win and feel like ever since I was 10 years old I've been training hard nonstop, never taking any breaks. Boxing is my passion and I have the talent, the physical attributes combined with my hard work. It's a given for me to be here and something I've dreamed about as a kid to be headlining events and now I'm here. It's a dream come true and I'm not letting up and backing down from nobody. I made my other opponents look easy when I won and this is going to be a great fight on Saturday."
STEVEN NELSON
"I'm ready to go and everyone has seen an OK version of me. I've never been this focused or worked this hard or been this determined for nothing in my life and it will show on Saturday. Diego is 23 and can take a loss and bounce back. I'm 36 from Omaha, Nebraska, and been through hell to get here and not just in boxing. I've been through everything and I can't afford to lose so if you think I'm going into this fight to lay down I'm not. He can make it hard or easy, but I'm not losing or backing down.
This victory would be life-changing for my family and I'm not fighting for myself. I'm fighting for a whole community of people. I'm fighting for people who didn't get the opportunities but have the talent in and outside of boxing. It's not personal or business, it's destiny and God's plan, this is part of the story. I promise I will beat him on Saturday."
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SHIELDS VS. PERKINS NOW SET FOR UNDISPUTED WOMEN'S HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
All Four World Title Belts Will Be On The Line On
SUPER BRAWL SUNDAY, February 2, At Dort Financial Center
Live On DAZN
DETROIT (December 20, 2024) – Undefeated, reigning WBC heavyweight titlist Claressa Shields (15-0, 3 KOs) will attempt to become the first boxer in history to earn the coveted title of Undisputed World Champion in three different weight classes on Sunday, February 2 when she faces No. 1-ranked contender Danielle Perkins (5-0, 2 KOs) for all four championship belts. Following last week's fight announcement, the WBA, IBF and WBO each have agreed to sanction the bout for their respective women's heavyweight world titles.
This special Sunday event, SUPER BRAWL SUNDAY, takes place at the Dort Financial Center in Shields' hometown of Flint, Mich., and will air live, globally on DAZN.
"Claressa Shields is shining a spotlight on Flint – first on the big screen and then in the ring on Sunday, February 2," said event promoter Dmitriy Salita, president of Salita Promotions. "Claressa leads by example. She is a trailblazer and has been an advocate for equality since she was a young lady. This event promises to be one of the most significant sporting and cultural events of the year. You don't want to miss it, either live, in person or live on DAZN!"
The 29-year-old Shields is preparing for this fight just days before the Christmas Day theatrical premiere of THE FIRE INSIDE, the anticipated feature film based on her life, which is enjoying rave reviews from critics and insiders alike. The biopic starring Ryan Destiny as Shields chronicles the fighter's humble beginnings in Flint and her rise to becoming the only two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist in boxing
PFL EVENT VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
