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Nurmagomedov and Hughes had a memorable battle in January. | PFL MMA
A rematch more than eight months in the making will serve as the headliner for the next Professional Fighters League Champions Series event.
The organization announced on Wednesday that a lightweight championship rematch between reigning title holder Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes will take place on Oct. 3 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Nurmagomedov took a competitive majority decision over Hughes in the their first meeting on Jan. 25 — a clash that has been lauded as one of the best fights of 2025.
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The event, which is officially entitled PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai — The Rematch, will also see former Bellator light heavyweight king Corey Anderson square off against 2024 PFL champ Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov for the PFL 205-pound title in the co-feature. Anderson defeated Yagshimuradov via third-round TKO in a grand prix quarterfinal at Bellator 257 in April 2021.
Three preliminary bouts were also confirmed for the card: Pouya Rahmani vs. Slim Trabelsi at heavyweight; Zubaira Tukhuguov vs. Artem Lobov at a 165-pound catchweight and Omar El Dafrawy vs. Florim Zendeli at welterweight.
Broadcast details are expected to be announced soon.
“PFL Champions Series on Oct. 3 in Dubai will be one of the biggest nights in PFL history,” said PFL CEO John Martin in a release. “To have two PFL world titles on the line, featuring four world-class athletes at the top of their game, shows exactly what makes the PFL different. This is more than just a fight card, it’s a global showcase of elite talent, compelling narratives and the power of our international platform. Dubai is quickly becoming one of the sport’s true capitals, and there’s no better setting for a night of championship-level drama and the biggest rematch in PFL history.”
Nurmagomedov has not returned to action since edging Hughes in January. The 27-year-old Dagestan native is unbeaten in 20 professional outings, with other notable triumphs over the likes of Alexandr Shabliy, Benson Henderson and Patricky Freire.
Hughes, meanwhile, stayed busy with a 42-second stoppage of Bruno Mirando at PFL Europe 1 on May 10. The former Cage Warriors champion has been victorious in 14 of his 16 pro bouts.
Anderson will return to 205 pounds after a brief venture to heavyweight, where he earned a second-round TKO win over Denis Goltsov at PFL Road to Dubai on July 19. The UFC veteran’s current three-bout winning streak also includes triumphs over Karl Moore and Phil Davis.
Yagshimuradov enjoyed a banner 2024, besting the likes of Jakob Nedoh, Simon Biyong, Rob Wilkinson and Impa Kasanganay to win the PFL light heavyweight title. The fight vs. Anderson will mark his first appearance of 2025.
PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai — The Rematch
Main Card:
Lightweight World Title Main Event: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes
Light Heavyweight World Title Co-Main Event: Corey Anderson vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov
Early Card:
Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Pouya Rahmani vs. Slim Trabelsi
165-Pound Catchweight Bout: Zubaira Tukhugov vs. Artem Lobov
Welterweight Showcase Bout: Omar El Dafrawy vs. Florim Zendeli
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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