PFL Dubai Staff Picks: Welterweight Contenders Duke It Out

Coca-Cola Arena plays host to this week's card, highlighted by a heavyweight title fight between Vadim Nemkov and Sergey Bilostenniy. In the co-headliner, Patrick Habirora and Omar el Dafrawy battle at welterweight.

PFL Dubai Main Event

Undefeated for over a decade, Nemkov scored one of the biggest achievements of his professional tenure when he finished Renan Ferreira inside a round to become the first-ever PFL 265-lb king. In the Middle East this weekend, the former Bellator star maneuvers to retain his position as one of the baddest men on earth.

Winner of two straight fights, finishing the likes of Karl Williams and the aforementioned Ferreira, Bilostenniy has earned his opportunity to vie for a world title. With a mammoth ten victories by strikes, the Russian is on a mission to hoist company gold above his head at PFL Dubai.

PFL Dubai Co-Main Event

At just 25-years old, Habirora has become a must-see attraction at whichever event he is present at. With seven of his nine triumphs ending in the first five minutes, the undefeated “Belgian Bomber” reached a higher level of notoriety in his last bout after he starched the venerable Benson Henderson in only 20 seconds.

Holding statement wins over strong opponents such as Jarrah Hussein Al-Silawi and Mohammad Alaqraa, Dafrawy has made a name for himself participating in the PFL’s excursions to the Middle East. No stranger to high-stakes tilts after winning the company’s 2024 welterweight bracket, “GodFirst” is eager to pick up his third consecutive victory at PFL Dubai this weekend.

More Bouts On The PFL Dubai Main Card

Also on the main card, Oleg Popov takes on Pouya Rahmani. Then, Sergio Pettis faces Joji Goto. Finally, Lewis McGrillen locks horns with Nawras Abzakh.

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.

Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.

Find our PFL Dubai picks and fight odds below.

Staff records after UFC Vegas 124:

1. Hank Strandberg: 223-108

2. Drew Zuhosky: 174-159

3. Frazer Krohn: 159-131

4. Andrew Benjamin: 29-27

*Note – not all staff pick for every event*

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Lewis McGrillen-Evans -400

Vs.

Nawras Abzakh +300

BANTAMWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: McGrillen-Evans by First-Round Knockout

Drew Zuhosky: McGrillen-Evans by First-Round Knockout

Frazer Krohn: McGrillen-Evans by Second- Round Knockout

Staff picking McGrillen-Evans: 3

Staff picking Abzakh: 0

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Sergio Pettis -160

Vs.

Joji Goto +140

BANTAMWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Pettis by Unanimous Decision

Drew Zuhosky: Pettis by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Krohn: Pettis by Unanimous Decision

Staff picking Pettis: 3

Staff picking Goto: 0

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Pouya Rahmani -255

Vs.

Oleg Popov +211

HEAVYWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Rahmani by First-Round Knockout

Drew Zuhosky: Popov by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Krohn: Popov by Unanimous Decision

Staff picking Rahmani: 1

Staff picking Popov: 2

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Patrick Habirora -550

Vs.

Omar El Dafrawy +415

WELTERWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Habirora by First-Round Knockout

Drew Zuhosky: Habirora by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Krohn: Habirora by First Round Knockout

Staff picking Habirora: 3

Staff picking Dafrawy: 0

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Vadim Nemkov -400

Vs.

Sergey Bilostenniy +300

HEAVYWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Nemkov by First-Round Submission

Drew Zuhosky: Nemkov by Second-Round Knockout

Frazer Krohn: Nemkov by First-Round Knockout

Staff picking Nemkov: 3

Staff picking Bilostenniy: 0