Dubai’s First Champions Series World Title event will be held on Saturday, 25 January 2025 at Coca-Cola Arena, headlined by undefeated Bellator Lightweight World Champion, Dagestan’s Usman Nurmagomedov versus rising Irish contender Paul Hughes. Dubai will 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 first Champions Series will take place on 18 January 2025 at Coca-Cola Arena, located in Dubai’s City Walk, 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.