Groundbreaking multi-year partnership includes Professional Fighters League (PFL)
staging major annual global MMA events dubbed “Road to Dubai”
and developing future UAE champion fighters
Dubai’s first Champions Series World Title event will be held Saturday, January 25 at
Coca-Cola Arena, headlined by undefeated Bellator Lightweight World Champion,
Dagestan’s Usman Nurmagomedov versus rising Irish contender Paul Hughes
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – November 20, 2024: Dubai is set to host the Champions Series World Title event, following the signing of a groundbreaking multi-year partnership between the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai Sports Council (DSC), and the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
The event will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Coca-Cola Arena, located in Dubai’s City Walk, and is headlined by the returning “Pride of Dagestan,” undefeated Bellator Lightweight World Champion, Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0). He will look to defend his title against Ireland’s Paul “Big News” Hughes (13-1) who is coming off the biggest victory of his MMA career at PFL “Battle of the Giants” after defeating AJ McKee.
The first-of-its-kind partnership will see MMA world champions and the sport’s biggest stars from the PFL compete in title fights as Dubai becomes a marquee destination for the best of MMA. All other Champions Series events will now be co-branded as “Road to Dubai”, as each show culminates to the finale set in the new fight capital. As part of the PFL’s commitment to developing the sport of MMA in Dubai, rising Emirati star fighters will now have a pathway to become future PFL Champions.
His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, said: “We are pleased to cooperate with the Department of Economy & Tourism and the Professional Fighters League to attract and develop talented athletes in martial arts. This agreement will be the beginning of creating a new generation of champions in sports who will raise the UAE’s flag in various international forums, through launching various training programmes and forming an Emirati martial arts team to bring them up to a standard of participation at international championships.”
“Through this agreement, Dubai Sports Council will provide all means of support to ensure the success of the first-of-its-kind International Martial Arts Championship Series (Road to Dubai) in the Middle East, which represents a qualitative addition to the list of international sporting events and enhances sports tourism,” he added.
“This championship aims to attract a large number of young people and will receive wide attention from the public and local and international media, as organizing this international championship contributes to enhancing diversity in sports and enriching the list of rich sporting events hosted by Dubai throughout the year. This championship will be a successful model of cooperation and integration between various sectors with the aim of enhancing the quality of life among all members of society and consolidating Dubai’s position as a global destination for sports,” His Excellency Saeed Hareb stressed.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, part of DET,commented: “We are delighted to partner with Dubai Sports Council and the Professional Fighters League to elevate Dubai as a global hub for mixed martial arts. This significant partnership is in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 to further consolidate Dubai’s status as a leading global city for business and leisure, and is a testament to Dubai’s commitment to providing incredible experiences for both athletes and fans. We have no doubt that this partnership will be a knockout success. With the Champions Series finale in Dubai poised to draw international attention, we also look forward to showcasing the energy, diversity, excitement and exceptional hospitality that our city has to offer. Furthermore, this action-packed series will keep our city at the forefront of combat sports, helping to attract visitors from around the world who equally seek unrivalled sporting entertainment and destination experiences.”
“The Professional Fighters League is proud to be the first organisation to launch major global MMA events in Dubai,” said PFL Chief Executive Officer Pete Murray. “We are excited to partner with Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Sports Council to stage annual mega events in the city of gold and develop the next generation of UAE champion fighters.”
“I am always excited to challenge myself against the best athletes and I view Paul Hughes as a worthy opponent,” Usman Nurmagomedov said. “I’m proud to be the first MMA main event in Dubai history.”
“The championship has always been in my plans, and now it’s coming to fruition in January when I face Usman,” Paul Hughes said. “I respect what he brings to the table and I am not discrediting him, but I know I will leave Dubai on January 25 as the new champion.”
PFL is the only organisation in MMA with a sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. The PFL roster boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight class, the same percentage as UFC. PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering fight analytics, AI scoring, and a next-generation viewing experience. PFL is primetime on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and is broadcast and streamed in 150 countries with 20 premium media distribution partners.
The PFL Championships for the 2024 PFL Global Season and PFL MENA’s first-ever season, take place on Friday, November 29 at King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will be available live in the U.S. on ESPN+.
Ticket Info
Fans can register for the pre-sale to exclusively buy tickets on Thursday, 21 November at 8:00 am GST. Registration will close on Friday, 22 November at 7:00 am GST. The pre-sale will be available exclusively for registered fans on Friday, 22 November starting at 9:00 am GST, before the general sale on Friday, 22 November at 2:00 pm GST.
Register early to secure your spot for this thrilling event at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai’s Home of Sports and Live Entertainment.
What: Champions Series
When: 25 January 2025
Where: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, UAE
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ABOUT DUBAI DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMY AND TOURISM (DET)
With the ultimate vision of making Dubai the world’s leading commercial centre, investment hub and tourism destination, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is mandated to support the Government in positioning the emirate as a major hub for global economy and tourism, and in boosting the city’s economic and tourism competitiveness indicators, in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy and consolidate its position among the top three global cities over the next decade.
Under this remit, DET is driving efforts to further enhance Dubai’s diversified, innovative service-based economy to attract top global talent, deliver a world-class business environment and accelerate productivity growth. Additionally, DET is supporting Dubai’s vision to become the world’s best city to visit, live and work in by promoting its diverse destination proposition, unique lifestyle and outstanding quality of life, overall.
DET is the principal authority for planning, supervising, developing and marketing Dubai’s business and tourism sectors. It is also responsible for licensing and classifying all types of businesses, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. DET’s portfolio includes Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), Dubai Business Registration and Licensing Corporation (DBLC), Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), Dubai SME, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and Dubai College of Tourism (DCT).
ABOUT DUBAI SPORTS COUNCIL
Founded on November 30, 2005, following a decree by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Sports Council is the official body responsible for the development of the sports sector in the Emirate. Today, under the guidance of its Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the DSC organises and supports more than 400 events annually - not just top-notch sporting extravaganzas, but also awards and conferences that promote excellence, creativity and innovation in the world of sports. The Council supervises the work of Dubai’s seven local sports clubs and takes active interest in encouraging the practice of physical activity in society, especially among women and children, through programs and activities designed to create awareness about the importance of sport and physical activity, and to make it a way of life for the community.
The DSC’s mandate, though, is not just to promote sport, create awareness and nurture talent, but to also support creativity and reward excellence, among both individuals and organizations and help Dubai become a land of health, happiness and vitality. It has organised many international conferences and symposiums since 2006, including the annual Dubai International Sports Conference, to enhance the knowledge and culture of professionalism, and has brought some of the biggest names from the world of sports here to share their vision and thoughts. The Council also seeks to develop the sports industry in the UAE and the world through initiatives like the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, and it organises many major international sports championships as well in cooperation with multiple sports bodies.
ABOUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a global powerhouse in MMA and the fastest-growing sports league worldwide. PFL has five live fight franchises, offering year-round content: PFL League Season, PFL PPV Super Fights, PFL Challenger Series, PFL International Leagues, and Bellator. Founded in 2018, PFL is backed by major blue-chip investors including SURJ, Ares, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners. MMA is the growth sports business of this decade, with 650 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demographic, and true global revenue streams.
ABOUT COCA-COLA ARENA
Opened in June 2019, Coca-Cola Arena has revolutionized the live entertainment industry in the UAE and throughout the Middle East. Capable of hosting live shows 365 days a year, the fully air-conditioned, 17,000-capacity arena establishes Dubai as a major destination on the global events circuit. Coca-Cola Arena’s unique automated seating design means it can be adapted to international and local events of all sizes, from international touring artists, sporting tournaments, e-gaming, comedy and live theatre and musical performances, to conferences, gala dinners, AGMs and weddings. Located in the heart of City Walk, Dubai’s lifestyle destination, Coca-Cola Arena is a 15-minute drive from Dubai International Airport and a 5- minute walk from the closest Dubai Metro Station. The region’s largest multipurpose indoor arena, Coca-Cola Arena is an asset of Dubai Holding entertainment portfolio and is managed by ASM Global, the world’s leading venue management and services company.
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