MMASucka Staff Picks PFL Dubai: Lightweight Apex Eyes Exciting Start to Title Reign
Making their way to the United Arab Emirates, the PFL is set to host an incredibly stacked first card of 2026 when the promotion’s lightweight champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, attempts to retain his inaugural strap for the first time against Alfie Davis in the PFL Dubai main event. In the co-main ev...
Making their way to the United Arab Emirates, the PFL is set to host an incredibly stacked first card of 2026 when the promotion’s lightweight champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, attempts to retain his inaugural strap for the first time against Alfie Davis in the PFL Dubai main event. In the co-main event, former Bellator welterweight king Ramazan Kuramagomedov faces Dagestan representative Shamil Musaev.
PFL Dubai Main Event
Undefeated at 20-0 with one no-contest, Nurmagomedov stands as one of the top athletes in his division on the planet, previously recording three title defenses while reigning as the Bellator lightweight apex. With his entertaining rivalry with Paul Hughes finally behind him, the American Kickboxing Academy prodigy is dead set on ruling over another organization as a continually dominant belt-holder.
Following a disappointing 2024 campaign, Davis produced a phenomenal run in the PFL 2025 155-lb tournament, besting a trio of stark opponents in Clay Collard, Brent Primus and Gadzhi Rabadanov, handing the latter his first loss in almost five years. Locking horns with another Russian phenom, “The Axe Man” wants nothing more than to defy the odds once more, and in the effort, earn the title of world champion.
PFL Dubai Co-Main Event
Shocking the world with his utter dismantling of Bellator gold standard Jason Jackson, Kuramagomedov makes his big return to competition after more than a year away. With the inaugural PFL welterweight championship on the line, the American Top Team product has the chance to add even more to his trophy case in PFL Dubai.
Having yet to taste defeat as a professional, Musaev has risen to become one of the best fighters in the promotion since joining the PFL in 2024. No stranger to high-stakes title matches after winning the company’s welterweight bracket at one point, “The Silent Assassin” takes to the SmartCage to make a resounding statement following a year long layoff in PFL Dubai.
More Bouts on the PFL Dubai Late Card
Also on the PFL Dubai late card, Jesus Pinedo throws down with Salamat Isbulaev. Then, Abdoul Abdouraguimov tests himself against Kendly St. Louis. Finally, Pouya Rahmani comes to blows with UFC veteran Karl Williams.
PFL Dubai Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.
Find our PFL Dubai picks and fight odds below.
- Hank Strandberg: 10-4
- Frazer Krohn: 9-5
- Drew Zuhosky: 6-8
- Andrew Benjamin: 2-3
- Jeremy Brand: 0-0
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Pouya Rahmani -950
Vs.
Karl Williams +650
HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Rahmani by Second Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Williams by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Williams by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Rahmani: 1
Staff picking Williams: 2
Abdoul Abdouraguimov -280
Vs.
Kendly St. Louis +240
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Abdouraguimov by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: St. Louis by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Abdouraguimov by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Abdouraguimov: 2
Staff picking Louis: 1
Jesus Pinedo -105
Vs.
Salamat Isbulaev -115
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Pinedo by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Pinedo by First Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Pinedo by Second Round Knockout
Staff picking Pinedo: 3
Staff picking Isbulaev: 0
Shamil Musaev -400
Vs.
Ramazan Kuramagomedov +300
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Musaev by Second Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Musaev by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Kuramagomedov by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Musaev: 2
Staff picking Kuramagomedov: 1
Usman Nurmagomedov -2000
Vs.
Alfie Davis +1000
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Nurmagomedov by Fourth Round Submission
Drew Zuhosky: Nurmagomedov by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Nurmagomedov by Third Round Knockout
Staff picking Nurmagomedov: 3
Staff picking Davis: 0
