PFL Champion Series: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes

Saturday’s main event of the inaugural PFL Champions Series in Dubai is a must-see event, featuring a matchup between two of the most talented fighters on the PFL roster: Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes.

Nurmagomedov: A Dominant Force

Nurmagomedov, the younger brother of UFC bantamweight contender Umar, is the reigning Bellator MMA lightweight champion. He captured the title in 2022 and has looked impressive in his title defenses.

With a perfect 18-0 record, Nurmagomedov is known for his dominant grappling, suffocating his opponents with his wrestling and ground control.

Hughes: An Up-and-Coming Star

Hughes, a former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, has made a name for himself in PFL after upsetting former Bellator champion AJ McKee last year.

Hughes is a well-rounded fighter with good striking, wrestling, and submission skills. He is known for his patience and composure in the cage.

A High-Stakes Matchup

This matchup has generated plenty of hype and headlines, largely due to Nurmagomedov’s cousin and trainer, Khabib Nurmagomedov, using the fight to comment on the debate between Irish and Dagestan MMA.

Despite the hype surrounding Hughes, Nurmagomedov remains a heavy favorite. However, Hughes is confident in his abilities and believes he can pull off the upset.

Prediction

This is a tough fight to call. Nurmagomedov is the more experienced and dominant fighter, but Hughes has shown that he can hang with the best.

In the end, I believe Nurmagomedov’s grappling will be too much for Hughes. I predict Nurmagomedov will win by submission.

Undercard Preview

The rest of the undercard is not as star-studded, but there is one fight worth paying attention to: former Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov vs. veteran Tim Johnson at heavyweight.

Nemkov is a skilled wrestler with a dangerous ground game, while Johnson is a tough and experienced veteran. This should be a competitive fight.

Where to Watch

The PFL Champion Series will be broadcast live on Max/DAZN (subscription required).