PFL Launches 2026 Season with Dubai Title Fights

The Professional Fighters League launched its 2026 season on Saturday with PFL Road to Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, featuring two championship bouts headlining a 13-fight card. All main event participants successfully made weight during Friday's official weigh-ins, setting the stage for a lightweight title defense and the inaugural welterweight championship fight.

In the main event, undefeated PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov weighed in at 155.0 pounds to defend his title against challenger Alfie Davis, who came in at 154.6 pounds. Nurmagomedov, a 27-year-old Russian with a 20-0 record, reclaimed the belt last October by defeating Paul Hughes in a rematch after the Bellator promotion merged with PFL. Known for his grappling prowess honed in Dagestan under coaches including Javier Mendez, Nurmagomedov has finished eight fights by knockout and six by submission. Davis, a 33-year-old Englishman with a 20-5-1 record, earned his shot by winning the 2025 PFL lightweight tournament with three consecutive victories. The British fighter, nicknamed "The Axe Man" for his striking style, has six knockouts among his wins and transitioned to PFL...