PFL returned to Dubai with PFL Champions Series 2: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2, a high-stakes night capped by another razor-thin decision between Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes. Nurmagomedov left with the vacant lightweight belt after scorecards read 50-45, 49-46, 48-47—numbers that immediately fueled debate across fight Twitter.
Lightning Start, Grinding Finish
Round 1 set the tone—fast scrambles, clean shots, and momentum swings that echoed their first meeting. (Yes, it was chaos.)
A CRAZY first round 😱#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/O17tA0FIaD
— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 3, 2025
Hughes rallied in the middle frames but Nurmagomedov’s championship-round composure—mixing level changes with counters—nudged judges his way. Fouls (multiple lows) created more drama, yet no points were docked. Controversial? Sure. But it lands in the record as a title-winning decision for Usman.
Co-Main & Feature Bangers
At light heavyweight, Corey Anderson vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov delivered a grinding, gritty three-rounder—top pressure, mat returns, and stubborn resistance on both sides.
Corey Anderson and Dovlet Yagshimuradov refuse to give up. Who will take this one?#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/ylkkFTYKOX
— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 3, 2025
Then came a vintage viral moment: Sergio Pettis vs. Magomed Magomedov ended via spinning back elbow—again—from Pettis. A walk-off highlight you’ll see all week.
ANOTHER SPINNING ELBOW KO FOR SERGIO PETTIS 😱#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/AhNzNI5gj2
— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 3, 2025
And Archie Colgan vs. Jay Jay Wilson? Colgan closed like a sledgehammer, banking late damage to ice the cards.
Archie Colgan finishes STRONG 😤#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/4t7ZBms1bi
— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 3, 2025
Other Standouts You Shouldn’t Miss
Jack Cartwright vs. Caolan Loughran went the distance with clean pocket exchanges. Heavyweight suspense arrived when Poya Rahmani vs. Slim Trabelsi ended in a first-round barrage. Technical grinders like Florim Zendeli vs. Omar El Dafrawy and Takeshi Izumi vs. Vinicius Cenci rewarded the purists, while Mirafzal Akhtamov vs. Luann Sardinha and Makkasharip Zaynukov vs. John Mitchell provided swing-bout drama. To cap the international flavor, Jarrah Hussein Al-Silawi vs. Gregory Babene was a razor split.
Full Results — PFL Champions Series 2: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2
- Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes — UD (50–45, 49–46, 48–47), vacant lightweight title
- Corey Anderson def. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov — UD (49–45, 48–47, 49–45), vacant light heavyweight title
- Archie Colgan def. Jay Jay Wilson — UD (30–27, 30–27, 29–28)
- Sergio Pettis def. Magomed Magomedov — KO (spinning back elbow), R2 4:31
- Jack Cartwright def. Caolan Loughran — UD (29–28 x2, 29–28)
- Poya Rahmani def. Slim Trabelsi — TKO (punches), R1 2:47
- Florim Zendeli def. Omar El Dafrawy — UD (29–28 x2, 29–28)
- Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Luann Sardinha — SD (28–29, 29–28, 29–28)
- Takeshi Izumi def. Vinicius Cenci — UD (30–27, 29–28, 29–28)
- Makkasharip Zaynukov def. John Mitchell — UD (30–26, 29–28, 29–28)
- Jarrah Hussein Al-Silawi def. Gregory Babene — SD (28–29, 29–28, 30–27)
FAQ — PFL Champions Series 2 (Quick Answers)
Who won Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes 2?
Usman Nurmagomedov won by unanimous decision to claim the vacant lightweight title.
What were the most viral highlights?
Sergio Pettis’ spinning-elbow KO in Pettis vs. Magomedov and the wild first round in Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes dominated social clips.
Who left Dubai with belts?
Usman Nurmagomedov (lightweight) and Corey Anderson (light heavyweight) took home vacant titles.
Where can I see every bout page?
Open the event hub: PFL Champions Series 2, then click into each matchup listed above.
