Blockbuster heavyweight clash to serve as co-main event for PFL Dubai super-card headlined by Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes

A blockbuster heavyweight clash has been confirmed for the huge PFL event in Dubai, which is headlined by Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes.

Bellator's undefeated lightweight champion Nurmagomedov will face Ireland's Hughes at a PFL event on January 25, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

The highly-anticipated championship showdown marks the first event of a new partnership between PFL, the parent company of Bellator, and the United Arab Emirates.

And before Nurmagomedov and Hughes step foot inside the cage, Vadim Nemkov and Ante Delija will go to battle as the heavyweight tilt will serve as the co-main event of the inaugural card of PFL's Champions Series.

Nemkov, a former Bellator light-heavyweight champion, now competes at heavyweight and won his PFL debut, submitting Bruno Cappelozza at the PFL vs. Bellator card earlier this year.

The 32-year-old Russian boasts victories over UFC veterans Phil Davis, Ryan Bader, Corey Anderson and Yoel Romero.

As for Delija, he won the 2022 PFL heavyweight season, claiming the $1 million prize in the process.

The Croatian, 34, hasn't fought since his defeat to Valentin Moldavsky last April.

The PFL, meanwhile, expanded into the Middle East with a big splash this year, putting on six big events in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while launching its PFL MENA (Middle East and North Africa) league.