DUBAI: One champion retained his Professional Fighters League title and another claimed championship gold as PFL Road to Dubai concluded Saturday at the Coca-Cola Arena, ushering in a new era for the PFL.
Usman Nurmagomedov (21-0, 1 NC) once again demonstrated his dominance, remaining the undefeated PFL Lightweight World Champion with a fourth-round submission victory over challenger No. 2-ranked Alfie “The Axe Man” Davis (20-6-1) in the main event. The No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the PFL, Nurmagomedov secured the fifth defense of his 155-pound title, which he originally won in 2022.
In the co-main event, No. 2-ranked Ramazan Kuramagomedov (14-0) became the inaugural PFL Welterweight World Champion with a unanimous decision victory over fellow Russian Shamil Musaev (20-1-1). Kuramagomedov applied relentless forward pressure throughout the fight, using his championship-round experience to dictate the pace and deny No. 1-ranked Musaev any opportunity to settle into a rhythm, a dynamic that ultimately defined the contest.
Following the win, Kuramagomedov told Dan Hardy in the PFL cage that he may have sustained a broken arm during the fight and even suggested the possibility of retirement.
The Welterweight division was treated to the Lazy King show, as No. 5-ranked Abdoul “Lazy King” Abdouraguimov (20-1) returned with a victory over Kendly “The Highlander” St. Louis (11-6), which brings his winning streak to 10 straight victories. Cartwheeling his way to the cage, his creative submission attempts and big strikes kept the American at bay, with the Frenchman picking up the split decision victory.
In a Featherweight bout, PFL newcomer Salamat Isbulaev (10-0) extended his undefeated record in emphatic fashion, maintaining his 100 percent finish rate. The Kazakhstani started cautiously, respecting the power of former champion Jesus Pinedo (25-8-1), but a takedown and transition into the crucifix position proved decisive. From there, he unleashed a barrage of elbows that forced a TKO stoppage over the Peruvian powerhouse.
In the main card opener for PFL Road to Dubai, No. 8-ranked Pouya Rahmani (6-0) once again showed why he is one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the sport, submitting Karl Williams (10-5) with a dominant arm-triangle choke in the second round.
