Main card of the Road to Dubai Champions Series is finalized with five must-
see bouts – including two ‘Dagestan vs. Ireland’ matchups

Coca-Cola Arena will host main event pitting undefeated Bellator Lightweight
World Champion, Usman Nurmagomedov versus rising Irish contender Paul Hughes

Tickets for the historic event are on-sale now
 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – December 13, 2024: The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, has announced the co-main event of Road to Dubai Champions Series on January 25 at Coca-Cola Arena, will be a Heavyweight trilogy bout between the last two men to hold the Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship, Vadim Nemkov (18-2, 1 NC) and Corey Anderson (18-6,1 NC). 
 

Three additional main card bouts are also official, with the news that one of the top young British prospects in the sport, undefeated Ibragim Ibragimov (8-0) will take on Ireland’s Kenny Mokhonoana (5-1) at Featherweight. Unbeaten Khasan Magomedsharipov (10-0), the younger brother of Zabit Magomedsharipov, will fight Irish standout Nathan Kelly (11-2), who is in the midst of an 11-fight winning streak, at Featherweight. Rounding out the newly announced main card bouts is a Bantamweight tilt featuring Russia’s undefeated Renat Khavalov (8-0) going toe-to-toe with Brazil’s Cleiver Fernandes (9-1), a former Shooto Brazil Bantamweight Champion that is currently on an eight-fight winning streak.
 

The fights join a historic event headlined by “Dagestan vs. Ireland’ the undefeated Bellator Lightweight World Champion, Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) looking 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. With today’s additions, now two Dagestan vs. Ireland fights are official, and a full undercard bout listing will be announced shortly.
 

Road to Dubai Champions Series is the inaugural “Road to Dubai” 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 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.
 

In a highly anticipated trilogy bout between two of the most recognizable names in the sport, reigning Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Corey Anderson will make the move up to the Heavyweight division to take on a familiar foe in Vadim Nemkov.
 

Anderson saw a resurgence in his career when he signed with Bellator in 2020 as he dominated the Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix, stringing together three-straight TKO victories. The Illinois’ native first met the Russian powerhouse during the finals of the Grand Prix in 2022, where $1 million dollars were on the line. Anderson was seemingly en route to a world championship, but the bout was deemed a no contest due to an accidental clash of heads in the third round. Later that same year, Anderson and Nemkov collided once again with Nemkov displaying a striking masterclass, defending his title in the process. Since then, Anderson inserted himself back into the win column after a closely contested battle with former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Phil Davis and at Bellator Champion Series Belfast, Anderson struck gold as he defeated the surging Karl Moore for the vacant Bellator Light Heavyweight title.
 

A protégé of MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko, Nemkov has proven to be amongst the upper echelon of the Light Heavyweight division, being at the helm for three years. Boasting victories over the likes of former Bellator Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader, Phil Davis, and MMA superstar Yoel Romero, Nemkov has since decided to take his talents to the Heavyweight division. His debut in the weight class earlier this year during the stacked Champions vs. Champions card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nemkov squared off against Brazil’s Bruno Cappeloza, emerging victorious after he secured a second-round submission. On January 25, Nemkov will welcome Anderson to the Heavyweight division in the debut Road to Dubai Champions Series. 

 

Completed Road to Dubai Champions Series Main Card:

Lightweight World Title Bout: Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) vs. Paul Hughes(13-1)

Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Vadim Nemkov (18-2, 1 NC) vs. Corey Anderson (18-6,1 NC)

Featherweight Main Card Bout: Ibragim Ibragimov (8-0) vs. Kenny Mokhonoana (5-1)

Featherweight Main Card Bout: Khasan Magomedsharipov (10-0) vs. Nathan Kelly (11-2)

Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Renat Khavalov (8-0) vs. Clever Fernandes (9-1)

 

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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 organisations 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 revolutionised 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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