Usman Nurmagomedov, and top Irish contender, Paul Hughes, will headline PFL Dubai tonight (Fri., Oct. 3, 2025) live from inside Coca-Cola Arena in a rematch 10 months in the making. Nurmagomedov initially
defeated Hughes earlier this year via majority decision in what was truly a back-and-forth contest. In the co-main event, former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contender and ex-Bellator Light Heavyweight champion, Corey Anderson will get his opportunity to secure his first-ever taste of PFL gold as he battles Dovlet Yagshimuradov — the 2024 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament winner — for the promotion’s 205-pound strap.
Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes
Though the decision to award Nurmagomedov the win over Hughes wasn’t questionable enough to call it a robbery (highlights here), it did leave many unhappy. Since the loss, Nurmagomedov has been sitting idle, while Hughes got back into the win column with a blistering 42-second knockout of Bruno Miranda at PFL Europe 1 this past May (recap here). Now, “Big News” will get the opportunity to avenge the defeat, while potentially handing Nurmagomedov his first-ever loss. For Usman, it’s his chance to not only secure another title defense, but also to erase any and all doubts that he truly is the best 155-pound fighter of the two. Despite the win for Nurmagomedov in the first fight, he can’t go too overconfident because Hughes gave him all he could handle. That said, I wouldn’t expect anything less but maximum effort once the cage door slams shut…from both men.
Prediction: Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision
Corey Anderson vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contender and ex-Bellator Light Heavyweight champion, Anderson, will go up against Dovlet Yagshimuradov — the 2024 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament winner — for the promotion’s 205-pound strap. For Anderson, it will be a return back down to Light Heavyweight after defeating Denis Goltsov in a Heavyweight bout via second round technical knockout at PFL Cape Town (recap here). Anderson is currently on a three-fight win streak and has without a doubt been one of the best fighters in the division for some time now and has the chance to further elevate his stock by adding another title to his shelf. As for Yagshimuradov, he is currently on a seven-fight win streak and is out for revenge against Anderson after falling to him in the quarterfinals of Bellator’s Grand Prix back in 2021. That said, Anderson has that win in his back pocket coming into the rematch, but Dovlet is hungry for some get-back. Expect both men to put it all on the line come fight might, but the victor may be familiar.
Prediction: Anderson via third-round TKO
Magomed Magomedov vs. Sergio Pettis
In an intriguing Bantamweight bout, Magomedov will tango with former Bellator MMA 135-pound champion, Pettis, in a fight in which both men are trying to earn back-to-back wins for the first time in a long time. Magomedov is coming off a win over Sarvarjon Khamidov at PFL 6 in what was his promotional debut. Prior to that, he suffered his second loss to Patchy Mix in a world title fight. As for Pettis, he was last seen defeating former training partner, Raufeon Stots, just four months ago in his own PFL debut. Now that both men have their first fight inside the SmartCage out of the way, they will duke it out to see who takes a next step toward a title fight against division king, Marcirley Alves. Magomed is the stronger grappler of the two, though that is not to say Pettis is a novice by any means. Still, “The Phenom” would be better served to keep the fight on the feet if he wants the chance to have his hand raised.
Prediction: Magomedov via unanimous decision
Archie Colgan vs. Jay-Jay Wilson
Colgan will put his perfect 12-0 record on the line against the battle-tested Wilson in a pivotal lightweight showdown. There is a lot at stake in this fight in the 155-pound division, with the winner likely positioning himself as the next challenger for the lightweight title currently up for grabs in the main event. Colgan is a legit wrestling beast so Wilson will have to be wary once they get up close and personal. That said, getting close enough to land his power shots will be what Wilson needs to do because it it turns into a grappling bout, Colgan has him covered. Wilson is the underdog here but he knows he has the shills to pull off the upset and secure his fourth straight win. For Colgan, improving to 13-0 puts him at the top of the list of championship fight consideration.
Prediction: Colgan via unanimous decision
Jack Cartwright vs. Caolan Loughran
The Bantamweight clash between England’s Cartwright and Ireland’s Loughran will open up the main card action in a matchup that pits two rising European talents against each other. This will be Loughran’s promotional debut for PFL after his recent UFC exit, which came off a win over Nathan Fletcher. He hasn’t won back-to-back fights in three years, so he is looking to change all of that here against Cartwright. Speaking of which, the British brawler will also be making his PFL debut and is coming off a win under the Oktagon MMA banner. Now he has the chance to show off his stuff on the big stage against a tough foe.
