On November 20, 2024, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Sports Council (DSC). This historic collaboration will bring major MMA events to Dubai, marking a significant milestone in the sport’s expansion across the globe. The partnership positions Dubai as a key destination for MMA, where world-class fighters will compete in thrilling title matches in front of international audiences.
The first event under this new agreement is scheduled for January 25, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The event will be streamed live on ESPN+, with the headline fight featuring an intriguing Lightweight title match between undefeated champion Usman Nurmagomedov and rising contender Paul Hughes. Nurmagomedov, with an undefeated record of 18-0-1, will defend his title in what promises to be a competitive clash. His last defense, a unanimous decision win over Alexander Shabliy in September 2024, solidified his place as one of the sport’s best.
For Hughes, this fight marks a rapid ascent to the top of the division. After his impressive debut in the PFL, where he won by TKO against Bobby King in June 2024, Hughes pulled off a major upset by defeating former featherweight champion A.J. McKee at the “Battle of the Giants” event. The Irish striker, known as “Big News,” will look to hand Nurmagomedov his first loss and add another title to his growing collection.
The partnership between the PFL, DET, and DSC is part of a larger vision to transform Dubai into a hub for MMA. As part of the agreement, all future PFL Champions Series events will be co-branded as “Road to Dubai,” building toward a grand finale in the city. This initiative will not only bring top-tier MMA action to Dubai but also create opportunities for local Emirati fighters to rise through the ranks and potentially claim PFL championships.
With this collaboration, Dubai is set to become a major player in the MMA world. The city will host some of the sport’s biggest events, attracting fighters and fans from across the globe. The highly anticipated fight between Nurmagomedov and Hughes will be the first of many high-profile bouts in Dubai, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the PFL and MMA in the Middle East.
