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

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes

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

The PFL confirmed ahead of the event that Nurmagomedov’s Bellator title will be on the line for what will be the final fight in that promotion’s history, and Hughes is eager to steal the moment for himself and shatter the Dagestani champion’s undefeated record following his win over A.J. McKee at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants in October.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Tim Johnson

The night’s co-main event is 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 now Johnson will step in to try and upset the former Bellator titleholder on just a few weeks’ notice in Dubai.

The Road to Dubai main card also includes a featherweight matchup between Nathan Kelly and Akhmed Magomedov as well as the undefeated Ibragim Ibragimov taking on Kenny Mokhonoana. Bantamweights Renat Khavalov and Cleiver Fernandes will open the main card action, and the event also features a six-fight preliminary card.

Road to Dubai Champions Series is set to kick off at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday (January 25), so be sure to check back on this page for all of the live results and highlights from the action once the event starts.

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)