MMA News

Tag: PFL Champions Series 3

  • “Much Closer Than That” – Fans Blast Wide Judges’ Scorecards As Usman Nurmagomedov Bests Paul Hughes In PFL Lightweight World Title Fight At PFL Champions Series 3

    “Much Closer Than That” – Fans Blast Wide Judges’ Scorecards As Usman Nurmagomedov Bests Paul Hughes In PFL Lightweight World Title Fight At PFL Champions Series 3

    In one of the most highly-anticipated rematches in PFL history, Usman Nurmagomedov made it no question this time around — scoring a clear decision over Paul Hughes to become PFL lightweight world champion in the main event of PFL Champions Series 3.

    Nurmagomedov and Hughes battled technically over the five rounds, starting with Nurmagomedov coming out of the gate with low kicks and body work, plus working back control on Hughes after a takedown. Hughes tried to rally as the rounds went on, but Nurmagomedov repeatedly managed to find takedowns over the second and third rounds to stall Hughes’ momentum.

    Hughes showed grit during the championship rounds as he managed to find escapes out of the grappling of Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov, however, was relentless with his pressure and went toe-to-toe with him in his striking. Hughes looked to press forward in the final round with his combinations, but Nurmagomedov’s defense and late takedown sealed the deal in his favor.

    The judges scored the bout 50-45, 49-46, and 48-47, all in Nurmagomedov’s favor.

    Usman Nurmagomedov Wins PFL Lightweight Title With Decision Over Paul Hughes

    https://twitter.com/ZachSchumaker/status/1974228248692470026

    The two first met at the first PFL Champions Series event in January, with Nurmagomedov controversially retaining the then-Bellator lightweight title with a majority decision win.

    Nurmagomedov improves to 20-0 (1 NC) with this win.

    Nurmagomedov is responsible now for two of the now-three losses in Hughes’ professional MMA career. He came into this fight off a sub-minute finish of Bruno Miranda at PFL Europe 1 in May.

  • “Truly A Slept On MMA Career” – Fans React As Corey Anderson Becomes PFL Light Heavyweight World Champion With Decision Win Over Dovlet Yagshimuradov At PFL Champions Series 3

    “Truly A Slept On MMA Career” – Fans React As Corey Anderson Becomes PFL Light Heavyweight World Champion With Decision Win Over Dovlet Yagshimuradov At PFL Champions Series 3

    Corey Anderson’s expert level grappling was too much for Dovlet Yagshimuradov to handle, as he scored an easy decision to become the PFL light heavyweight champion in the co-main event of PFL Champions Series 3.

    Yagshimuradov found success in the opening round with his striking, briefly troubling Anderson, but Anderson shifted some momentum with a late takedown. Anderson began to use that to start his pressure of Yagshimuradov, working heavy clinch work and getting the better of him all around in the grappling department.

    The effect was clear, as Yagshimuradov started to gas and slow down. By the championship rounds, Anderson’s dominance was clear, as he completely overwhelmed Yagshimuradov with pressure and nearly scored a TKO on multiple occasions, easily taking the judges’ scorecards.

    Corey Anderson Wins PFL Light Heavyweight Title With Decision Win Over Dovlet Yagshimuradov

    https://twitter.com/CouchCoachesMMA/status/1974213196127908092
    https://twitter.com/FanOfCombat___/status/1974210971552956547

    Anderson’s run as a champion began when he won the then-Bellator light heavyweight championship in Dublin, Ireland, at a Bellator Champions Series event in March 2024.

    Yagshimuradov, the 2024 PFL light heayvweight season champion, sees a seven-fight win streak snapped as a result of this loss.

  • “Just Killed A Man On Live Television” – Anthony Pettis And Fans React To Sergio Pettis Pulling Off Comeback KO Of Magomed Magomedov In Title Eliminator At PFL Champions Series 3

    “Just Killed A Man On Live Television” – Anthony Pettis And Fans React To Sergio Pettis Pulling Off Comeback KO Of Magomed Magomedov In Title Eliminator At PFL Champions Series 3

    Four years ago, Sergio Pettis was behind on the scorecards against Kyoji Horiguchi when he landed a spinning backfist knockout to retain his Bellator title.

    Now, in a very similar circumstance, Magomed Magomedov appeared to be near a finish of Pettis in the second round before Pettis pulled off a spinning back elbow to drop Magomedov out cold in a bantamweight title eliminator at PFL Champions Series 3.

    Pettis connected with jabs and a brief trip early, while Magomedov answered with a flying knee and a takedown, ending the first round in top control. Magomedov then used his grappling to take over the second round, consistently bringing Pettis to the ground and locking in body triangles, threatening chokes on multiple occasions, seemingly near a finish.

    But in the round’s closing seconds, Pettis countered a jumping knee from Magomedov with a side kick before landing a spinning back elbow that put Magomedov’s lights out and gave him the victory.

    Sergio Pettis Scores Highlight KO Of Magomed Magomedov At PFL Champions Series 3

    Pettis, the former Bellator bantamweight champion, has now won two straight and eight of his last 10.

    Magomedov has traded wins and losses consecutively since dropping a fight to Raufeon Stots in Bellator in 2021.

  • VIDEO: Pouya Rahmani Cracks Slim Trabelsi To Score Quick TKO Victory At PFL Champions Series 3

    VIDEO: Pouya Rahmani Cracks Slim Trabelsi To Score Quick TKO Victory At PFL Champions Series 3

    In a battle of unbeaten heavyweights, Pouya Rahmani, after already besting him in a grappling match earlier this year, pulled off a hard-hitting, first-round finish of Slim Trabelsi at PFL Champions Series 3.

    Trabelsi tried to establish the jab early, but Rahmani quickly turned things to his favor. Rahmani slipped him up on a flurry, but Trabelsi got his feet back under him.

    Unfortunately for Trabelsi, one right hand quickly ended things, dropping him as Rahmani landed some follow-up shots to end things quickly.

    Pouya Rahmani Puts Away Slim Trabelsi At PFL Champions Series 3

    Rahmani, who made his PFL debut tonight, now improves to 5-0 in MMA.

    Trabelsi loses for the first time in professional MMa, falling to 8-1.

  • “Has To Be Some Kind Of Error” – Fans Blast Judges Giving Makkasharip Zaynukov Questionable Decision Win Over John Mitchell At PFL Champions Series 3

    “Has To Be Some Kind Of Error” – Fans Blast Judges Giving Makkasharip Zaynukov Questionable Decision Win Over John Mitchell At PFL Champions Series 3

    PFL fans and MMA commentators alike were left with their heads scratching as Makkasharip Zaynukov earned a win over John Mitchell via unanimous decision during the early card of PFL Champions Series 3 in Dubai.

    While the first round was slow-paced, with both men struggling to find a rhythm, the second saw Mitchell find success with battering Zaynukov’s legs with kicks. He also defended a number of takedown attempts from Zaynukov, though he had moments by trying to press with strikes.

    Zaynukov would finally find success with takedowns in the third, controlling the final round with his grappling pressure. That somehow seemed to be enough for the judges, one of whom gave Zaynukov a 10-8 round, to give him the decision win.

    Makkasharip Zaynukov Earns Controversial Win Over John Mitchell At PFL Champions Series 3

    Zaynukov has now won seven straight and 12 of his last 13 fights.

    Mitchell, the 2023 PFL Europe lightweight runner-up, is now 2-2 in his most recent four.

  • PFL Champions Series: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes 2 Results & Highlights

    PFL Champions Series: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes 2 Results & Highlights

    The third PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai event took place on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action.

    After a number of changes to its organizational structure earlier in the year, and with the PFL World Tournament concluded, the PFL will hold its third edition of the PFL Champions Series at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE.

    The main event will see a highly anticipated lightweight championship rematch featuring defending champion Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes. The two clashed over the Bellator lightweight title at the first PFL Champions Series event in January, with Nurmagomedov winning the exciting encounter on a controversial majority decision.

    Gold will also be on the line in the co-main event, as Corey Anderson faces Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov for the PFL light heavyweight championship. The two first met in April 2021 during Bellator’s Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, with Anderson getting the finish. Anderson defeated Karl Moore in March 2024 to become Bellator light heavyweight champion.

    The rest of the main card will also feature a No. 1 contender’s match at bantamweight between Magomed Magomedov and Sergio Pettis, a lightweight battle feature Archie Colgan and Jay-Jay Wilson, and a 140-pound catchweight bout between Jack Cartwright and Caolan Loughran.

    PFL Champions Series 3 begins at 11:30 am ET on the ESPN app. If you can’t watch the action, check here for the latest results and highlights!

    PFL Champions Series 3: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2 Results & Highlights

    • PFL Lightweight Championship: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
    • PFL Light Heavyweight Championship: Corey Anderson def. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov via unanimous decision (49-45 x2, 48-47)
    • Bantamweight Title Eliminator: Sergio Pettis def. Magomed Magomedov via KO (R2, 4:31)
    • Lightweight: Archie Colgan def. Jay-Jay Wilson via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
    • Catchweight (140 lbs): Jack Cartwright def. Caolan Loughran via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
    • Heavyweight: Pouya Rahmani def. Slim Trabelsi via TKO (R1, 2:47)
    • Welterweight: Florim Zendeli def. Omar El Dafrawy via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
    • Lightweight: Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Luann Sardinha via split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)
    • Lightweight: Takeshi Izumi def. Vinicius Cenci via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
    • Lightweight: Makkasharip Zaynukov def. John Mitchell via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28 x2)
    • Middleweight: Jarrah Al-Silawi def. Gregory Babene via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

    Jarrah Al-Silawi vs. Gregory Babene

    Makkasharip Zaynukov vs. John Mitchell

    Takeshi Izumi vs. Vinicius Cenci

    Luann Sardinha vs. Mirafzal Akhtamov

    Omar El Dafrawy vs. Florim Zendeli

    Pouya Rahmani vs. Slim Trabelsi

    Jack Cartwright vs. Caolan Loughran

    Archie Colgan vs. Jay-Jay Wilson

    Magomed Magomedov vs. Sergio Pettis

    Corey Anderson vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov

    Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov Says Usman Nurmagomedov Will Rematch Paul Hughes In October

    Khabib Nurmagomedov Says Usman Nurmagomedov Will Rematch Paul Hughes In October

    Perhaps one of the most talked about fighters in PFL over the past year has been Paul Hughes — and one of the most talked about fights over the past year in the organization is Usman Nurmagomedov’s narrow, controversial win over Hughes at PFL Champions Series 1 in January to retain the Bellator lightweight title in its final title bout ever.

    Many in the MMA community have wondered since, and some even begged the PFL, to make the rematch — undoubtedly one of the promotion’s most anticipated and hoped-for bouts ever. And if the words of Usman’s cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov, are anything to listen to, he has offered hope.

    During a conversation with the streamer Sneako, the retired undefeated former UFC lightweight champion suggests that Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2 has been signed on for October.

    Specifically, according to Khabib Nurmagomedov, the fight would take place on October 4 in Dubai. If true, and given the PFL event dates known thus far for fall (with PFL MENA and Europe holding semifinal events the weekend of Sept. 26-28) this could potentially serve as the headliner of a third PFL Champions Series event.

    Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes To Take Place In Dubai On October 4?

    If Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2 follows the circumstances set by Johnny Eblen vs. Costello Van Steenis a couple of weeks ago, the winner of this bout would most likely be named the inaugural PFL lightweight champion.

    In what was one of the more entertaining fights in MMA during 2025, Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes this past January featured plenty of high-paced striking exchanges, strong clinch battles, and late-fight drama, courtesy of Nurmagomedov getting deducted a point.

    Hughes, who fired off a strong late flurry, was unable to get the win controversially. While one judge scored the bout a 47-47 draw, the other two judges gave 48-46 totals in Nurmagomedov’s favor.

    Hughes rebounded from the loss with a 42-second finish of Bruno Miranda at the PFL Europe event in Belfast this past May.

    Nurmagomedov has not been in action since defeating Hughes.