Stay Up To Date With All Of The PFL Road To Dubai Results Here
Following an eventful opening to the new year, the PFL get their competitive calendar up and running today at a sold-out Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Clash Of The Titans
The main card carries a strong ‘Dagestan vs. Ireland’ flavor to it with Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) putting his belt on the line against former Cage Warriors champion “Big News” Paul Hughes (13-1).
Former Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov (18-2) takes on Tim Johnson (18-10) in the co-main event with a strong possibility that a victory for the Russian may result in a superfight against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou later this year.
Dagestan vs. Ireland
Ireland’s Nathan Kelly (11-2) looks to extend his 11-fight winning streak when he takes on the impressive Akhmed Magomedov (10-1) in the middle of the main card.
Unbeaten English-based prospect Ibragim Ibragimov (8-0) will be looking for his third victory inside the PFL smartcage against another Irish fighter, Dublin’s Kenny Mokhonoana (5-1).
And promotional newcomers Renat Khavalov (8-0) and Cleiver Fernandes (9-1) will each be hoping to make a statement as they open up the main card.
The event takes place on Saturday, January 25th live on MAX / DAZN, 11am ET / 4pm GMT / 8pm local
Check Out The PFL Road To Dubai Results Below
Preliminary card:
Saeed Alhosani vs. Talal Alqallaf amateur lightweight
One way traffic in the opening fight of the day. Talal Alqallaf dominated on the feet, consistently landing the bigger shots and was able to implement his grappling as the fight progressed.
Result: Talal Alqallaf wins by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Mostafa Nada vs. Haider Khan middleweight
Disaster strikes in the opening round for Mostafa Nada as he breaks his forearm while attempting to block a front kick from Haider Khan.
Result: Haider Khan wins by TKO at 3:18 of round one.
John Mitchell vs. Souhil Tairi lightweight
A closer fight than the scorecards suggest. Mitchell had a strong opening round and his wrestling was the difference.
Tairi caught him in a guillotine in round two which was very tight and also threatened with a triangle choke after being reversed.Mitchell rallied to win the third round against a tiring Tairi.
Result: John Mitchell wins by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Hadi Omar Al Hussaini vs. Ruel Panales flyweight
Al Hussaini began aggressively, taking Panales down and raining down vicious ground and pound for most of the first round.
Round two was a much closer affair with both fighters looking tired but Al Hussaini took Panales down in the third and dominated from there to grind out the victory.
Result: Al Hussaini wins by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Mirafzal Akhtamov vs. Mike Thompson lightweight
An excellent fight while it lasted. Both fighters landed big shots on the feet through the opening round. Akhtamov took advanatge of Thompson visibly tiring in the second round and took him down before locking up an arm triangle to choke the Englishman asleep.
Result: Mirafzal Akhtamov wins by submission (arm triangle) at 2:50 of round two.
Tarek Suleiman vs. Ahmed Samy catchweight 199 lbs
Suleiman took Samy down early but got reversed. Samy rained down some nasty ground and pound through the remainder of the round and Suleiman was unable to get up from the canvas when the round ended.
Result: Ahmed samy wins by TKO at 5:00 of round one.
Main card:
Renat Khavalov vs. Cleiver Fernandes bantamweight
An uneventful three-round affair to open the main card that played out predominantly against the fence. Fernandes struggled to impose himself on Khavalov who stayed busy throughout.
Result: Khavalov wins by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Ibragim Ibragimov vs. Kenny Mokhonoana catchweight 147 lbs
Ibragimov remains undefeated after a wrestling-heavy performance over three rounds.
Result: Ibragimov wins by unanimous decision (30-27 x3).
Akhmed Magomedov vs. Nathan Kelly featherweight
A big comeback win for Magomedov. Kelly hurt him early with a calf kick and sliced his eye open with a big elbow, but once Magomedov woke up he imposed himself on Kelly and finished him in round two.
Result: Magomedov wins by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:22 of round two.
Vadim Nemkov vs. Tim Johnson heavyweight
Breathtaking performance from Vadim Nemkov in his second outing at heavyweight. Opened a cut of Johnson’s head early with a headkick before taking him down, advancing to the back and finishing with a rear naked choke.
Result: Nemkov wins by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:08 of round one.
Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes Bellator lightweight championship
An excellent battle over 25 minutes with both fighters having theur moments. Nurmagomedov had a point deducted after landing a number of low blows.
Result: Nurmagomedov wins by majority decision (48-46 x2, 47-47).