PFL reveals full Road to Dubai Champions Series Undercard showcasing top Emirati and International talents

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) continues its global expansion with the announcement of the full undercard for the highly anticipated Road to Dubai Champions Series. This groundbreaking event will showcase a mix of rising Emirati stars and international MMA talents, delivering an action-packed night on January 25, 2025, at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena.

Preliminary Card Highlights

The Road to Dubai undercard features several compelling matchups:

Tarek Suleiman (13-8) vs. Ahmed “Lee” Samy (11-4): A marquee middleweight clash that promises fireworks.
Hadi Omar Al Hussaini (5-1-1): Dubai’s own fighter aims to rebound in front of his home crowd against the Philippines’ Ruel “Bagsik” Pañales (5-2).
Yakub Sulimanov (7-0): The undefeated Dubai-based fighter faces Jordanian veteran Jarrah “Jordanian Lion” Al-Selawe (20-7).
John Mitchell (9-2): The Irish five-time MMA champion takes on Algeria’s Souhil Tairi (7-5-1).
Youssef Al Housani (4-1): Emirati talent squares off with Egypt’s undefeated Assem Ghanem (4-0).
Mostafa Nada (9-3): Saudi Arabia’s rising star, riding a five-fight win streak, faces PFL debutant Haider “Darth” Khan (8-1).
Mirafzal “Mirko” Akhtamov (7-0-1): Undefeated Uzbek fighter meets England’s KO specialist Mike “Lefty” Thompson (7-2).

Main Card Showdowns

The main card will feature:

Lightweight World Title Bout: Undefeated champion Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) defends his title against Ireland’s Paul “Big News” Hughes (13-1).
Featherweight Clashes: Rising stars Khasan Magomedsharipov (10-0) vs. Nathan Kelly (11-2) and Ibragim Ibragimov (8-0) vs. Kenny Mokhonoana (5-1).
Bantamweight Thriller: Renat Khavalov (8-0) takes on Brazil’s Cleiver Fernandes (9-1).

The Road to Dubai Vision

This inaugural “Road to Dubai” event marks a pivotal moment in the PFL’s partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Sports Council (DSC). As part of this initiative, the PFL is committed to fostering local MMA talent, providing Emirati fighters with a platform to shine and build their careers on the global stage.

Dubai is set to become a premier MMA destination, with all Champions Series events now co-branded as “Road to Dubai.” The Coca-Cola Arena will serve as the centerpiece for these events, culminating in the finale in the new fight capital.

Global Impact of the PFL

The PFL distinguishes itself with its innovative sports-season format, where fighters compete in a structured regular season, playoffs, and championship. The league’s roster rivals the UFC, boasting 30% of fighters ranked in the world’s top 25.

PFL’s technological edge, powered by the SmartCage, offers real-time analytics, AI scoring, and enhanced viewing experiences, positioning the league as a leader in MMA innovation. Broadcast globally in 150 countries, the PFL continues to make its mark as the “Champions League of MMA.”