For as much as there has been to criticize the PFL over the past 12 months as the promotion continues to make claims of where it stands as the co-leader in global MMA, Saturday's main event of the inaugural PFL Champions Series in Dubai is a must-see event.

“Brother, nobody knows who is Paul Hughes,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie. “He can talk something only because he wants to promote himself. PFL gave him this title shot only because he’s from Ireland, and they want to promote Ireland vs. Dagestan – something like that.

Tomorrow the PFL is having their Road to Dubai Champions Series event and there is an absolute banger in the main event that’s being dubbed Dagestan vs. Ireland 2. Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0, 1 NC) will look to defend his title against Ireland’s Paul Hughes (13-1).

MMA KO’s Drew Beaupré spoke with Paul Hughes before he challenges the undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov at PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series.

The PFL Champion Series Dubai is set to kick off the promotion's 2025 with a bang as Usman Nurmagomedov will defend his lightweight title against Paul Hughes.

The Professional Fighters League's first event of the year will feature a lightweight title fight. The PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series weigh-ins took place this morning, which locked in the 10-fight card.

The bout between Dagestani fighter Usman Nurmagomedov, the Bellator lightweight world champion who is 18-0 so far, and Ireland's Paul Hughes will be the top attraction of the Road to Dubai Champions Series, organised by the Professional Fighters League (PFL), at the Coco Cola Arena in Dubai on Saturday (January 25).