PFL announces Usman Nurmagomedov title defense in Dubai

Tim Bissell

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Publish Date: 11/29/2024

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija fight announcement graphic from PFL.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija will go down in Dubai.

PFL has announced it is taking some of its recently acquired Bellator talent to the Middle East for a new venture titled Road to Dubai: Champion Series.

According to a press release, this debut show will include the second title defense of Bellator lightweight champ Usman Nurmagomedov and the return of Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov.

Only two bouts have been announced so far Champion Series. Though, given who they have announced thus far it might be an attempt at a Bellator tent-pole event.

PFL's Champion Series includes lightweight title tilt

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes headlines PFL's inaugural Champion Series event in Dubai. Nurmagomedov, cousin to Khabib Nurmagomedov, won the Bellator lightweight grand prix and world championship in 2023. He beat Brent Primus, on the night, for those honours. However, his unanimous decision win was overturned to a no contest after he tested positive for a banned substance. Nurmagomedov wasn't stripped of the title after the drug test failure was deemed accidental.

Usman Nurmagomedov, Fedor Emelianenko, Vadim Nemkov & MORE!! | Russian Fighters in Bellator 🦅

Nurmagomedov defended his title against Alexandr Shabily in September at Bellator Champions Series 4. In Dubai he will meet former Cage Warriors champ Paul Hughes.

Hughes beat A.J. McKee, via split decision, at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants in Octagon.

Vadim Nemkov heads to Champion Series Dubai off a submission win over Bruno Cappelozza at PFL vs. Bellator in February. Prior to that he beat Yoel Romero to defend the Bellator light heavyweight title and set the record for most title defenses ever in that division (4).

Ante Delija is a long time PFL veteran. He first appeared with the company in their 2021 heavyweight tournament. Most recently he lost to Valentin Moldavsky, via TKO.

Nemkov vs. Delija will be a heavyweight fight.

2024 PFL World Championships are this weekend

The 2024 PFL Championship takes place on Friday, November 29, 2024.

The card’s prelims start at 7:15 a.m. ET. The main card, which features the regular season PFL tournament finales (including Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos), airs immediately after that at 1 p.m. ET.

For full fight card details and streaming options for the 2024 PFL World Championships go here.