Lightweight title fight set for champions Series Road to Dubai
The first event of a new partnership between the PFL & Dubai will start with a Lightweight title fight January 25th.
The multi-year agreement with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai Sports Council (DSC), and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) will see the the Bellator Champions Series change to the ChampionsSeries Road to Dubai and includes an emphasis on developing future champion from the region.
The Champions Series calendar will culminate annually in Dubai hence “ Road to Dubai”. The intention is for Dubai to become a marquee destination for the best of MMA.
January 25th at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai Usman Nurmagomedov will put his Bellator Lightweight title on the line against Paul “Big News” Hughes.
Usman Nurmagomedov has been the reigning champion for two years since taking possession of the championship by dismantling Patricky Freire at Bellator 288. His reign has included a pair of successful defenses. He submitted Benson Henderson at Bellator 292. And at Bellator Championship Series San Diego powered a unanimous decision over Alexander Shabily.
Irelands Paul Hughes garnered attention after winning the Cage Warriors Featherweight title. I’ll move up to lightweight has produced the desired results. His promotional debut second Brown knockout of Bobby King signified a big future. Too many it felt like too big of a jump, but at PFL “battle of the Giants“ Hughes stunned many by along a split decision over AJ McKee Jr.
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