Fighters Weigh In For PFL Road To Dubai: Champions Series
Fight fans really are being spoiled this January. Hot off the heels of a sensational UFC 311 card last weekend, the PFL are set to kick off their calendar year with a landmark event this Saturday.
The Road to Dubai: Champions Series takes place at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE with the Bellator lightweight title on the line for what will likely be the final time, following the promotion’s recent announcement that the Bellator will cease to exist going forward.
PFL Weigh In Results
Main Event: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes (Lightweight)
The undefeated Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) puts his belt on the line when he faces Irish star “Big News” Paul Hughes (13-1) at the top of the card.
Usman Nurmagomedov: 154.9 lbs — Paul Hughes: 155 lbs
Co-Main Event: Vadim Nemkov vs. Tim Johnson (Heavyweight)
Former Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov (18-2) returns for his second outing in the PFL smartcage since making the move up to heavyweight, where he will face former UFC stalwart Tim Johnson (18-10).
Vadim Nemkov: 242.4 lbs — Tim Johnson 264.2 lbs
Akhmed Magomedov vs. Nathan Kelly (Featherweight)
Another ‘Dagestan vs. Ireland’ battle as Akhmed Magomedov (10-1) returns after almost a year on the sidelines to face Dublin’s own Nathan Kelly (11-2) who is riding an impressive eleven-fight winning streak and pulled off two sensational first-round finishes in 2024.
Featherweight Bout between Nathan Kelly and Akhmed Magomed face off before their clash inside the Coca Cola Arena#RoadToDubai | Sat Jan 25 | Coca-Cola Arena | Dubai, UAE | 11AM ET | Streaming on @SportsonMax pic.twitter.com/yL09BLUSoh
— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 24, 2025
Akhmed Magomedov: 145.7 lbs — Nathan Kelly: 145.6 lbs
Ibragim Ibragimov vs. Kenny Mokhonoana (Featherweight)
Manchester Top Team prospect Ibragim Ibragimov (8-0) returns for his third outing in the promotion where he will square off against Ireland’s Kenny Mokhonoana (5-1) who returns to competitive action for the first time sonce losing for the first time as a professional back in September of 2023.
Ibragim Ibragimov: 146 lbs — Kenny Mokhonoana: 147 lbs*
*Mokhonoana missed weight by one pound and forfeits 20% of his purse to Ibragimov. Fight goes ahead.
Renat Khavalov vs. Cleiver Fernandes (Bantamweight)
Two promotional newcomers go head-to-head as Dagestan’s Renat Khavalov (8-0) takes on Brazil’s Cleiver Fernandes (9-1).
Renat Khavalov: 136 lbs — Cleiver Fernandes: 135.9 lbs
Complete PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series weigh-in results below:
PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series Main Card:
Saturday, January 25th – Live on MAX / DAZN
Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
11am ET / 4pm GMT / 8pm Local
Usman Nurmagomedov (154.9 lbs.) vs. Paul Hughes (155 lbs.)
Heavyweight bout
Vadim Nemkov (242.4 lbs.) vs. Tim Johnson (264.2 lbs.)
Featherweight bout
Akhmed Magomedov (145.7 lbs.) vs. Nathan Kelly (145.6 lbs.)
Catchweight bout (147 lbs.)
Ibragim Ibragimov (146 lbs.) vs. Kenny Mokhonoana (147 lbs.)*
*missed weight
Bantamweight bout
Renat Khavalov (136 lbs.) vs. Cleiver Fernandes (135.9 lbs.)
PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series Preliminary Card:
Catchweight bout (199 lbs.)
Tarek Suleiman (194 lbs.) vs. Ahmed Samy (199.6 lbs.)*
*missed weight
Lightweight bout
Mirafzal Akhtamov (156 lbs.) vs. Mike Thompson (155.4 lbs.)
Flyweight bout
Hadi Omar Al Hussaini (125.3 lbs.) vs. Ruel Panales (126 lbs.)
Lightweight bout
John Mitchell (155.2 lbs.) vs. Souhil Tairi (155.8 lbs.)
Middleweight bout
Mostafa Nada (184.6 lbs.) vs. Haider Khan (185.5 lbs.)
Amateur Lightweight bout
Saeed Alhosani (154.1 lbs.) vs. Talal Alqallaf (155.7 lbs.)