The undercard for Skilled Fighters League’s inaugural Street to Dubai Champions Sequence occasion on Saturday, January 25, has been launched and options Hadi Al Hussaini and Youssef Al Housani from the United Arab Emirates. Coca-Cola Area will host the principle occasion, pitting undefeated Bellator Light-weight World Champion Usman Nurmagomedov versus rising Irish contender Paul Hughes.
The Skilled Fighters League (PFL), the fastest-growing and most revolutionary sports activities league, has launched the complete Street to Dubai Champions Sequence undercard, that includes prime athletes from the United Arab Emirates and worldwide.
The marquee preliminary bout of the night time will see Tarek Suleiman (13-8) sq. off towards Ahmed “Lee” Samy (11-4). Dubai’s very personal Hadi Omar Al Hussaini (5-1-1) will likely be seeking to get again to profitable methods after dropping his undefeated document in his PFL debut this previous July, as he fights in entrance of a house crowd towards former RSF champion Ruel “Bagsik” Pañales (5-2).
Dubai-based fighter Yakub Sulimanov (7-0) will put his unblemished document on the road towards Jordan’s skilled Jarrah “Jordanian Lion” Al-Selawe (20-7). Whereas Dubai’s 971 Academy product John Mitchell (9-2), a five-time Irish MMA champion, will enter the SmartCage towards PFL MENA’s Algerian competitor Souhil Tairi (7-5-1).
As well as, Emirati fighter, Youssef Al Housani (4-1), will face off towards Egypt’s undefeated Assem Ghanem (4-0). Saudi Arabia’s Mostafa Nada (9-3), driving a five-fight win streak, will face the British-Pakistani PFL debutant Haider “Darth” Khan (8-1), who has gained his final 4 bouts.
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The undercard may even characteristic Dubai-based Uzbek fighter, the undefeated Mirafzal “Mirko” Akhtamov (7-0-1), who has a formidable six finishes in his profession, will tackle England’s knockout specialist, Mike “Lefty” Thompson (7-2), with 5 of his seven victories coming by the use of KO/TKO.
Street to Dubai Champions Sequence is the inaugural “Street to Dubai” occasion following the signing of a groundbreaking multi-year partnership between the Dubai Division of Financial system and Tourism (DET), Dubai Sports activities Council (DSC), and the Skilled Fighters League (PFL).
The occasion will happen on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Coca-Cola Area, situated in Dubai’s Metropolis Stroll and is headlined by the returning “Pleasure of Dagestan,” undefeated Bellator Light-weight World Champion, Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0). He’ll look to defend his title towards Eire’s Paul “Large Information” Hughes (13-1), who’s coming off the most important victory of his MMA profession at PFL “Battle of the Giants” after defeating AJ McKee.
The primary-of-its-kind partnership will see MMA world champions and the game’s greatest stars from the PFL compete in title fights as Dubai turns into a marquee vacation spot for the most effective of MMA. All different Champions Sequence occasions will now be co-branded as “Street to Dubai”, as every present culminates within the finale set within the new battle capital. As a part of the PFL’s dedication to creating the game of MMA in Dubai, rising Emirati starfighters will now have a pathway to turn out to be future PFL Champions.
PFL is the one organisation in MMA with a sports-season format, the place particular person fighters compete in an everyday season, playoffs, and championship annually. The PFL roster boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked within the prime 25 of their respective weight class, the identical proportion as UFC. PFL has an expansive world imaginative and prescient for the game and is constructing the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and extra worldwide leagues in improvement. PFL leads in expertise and innovation with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering battle analytics, AI scoring, and a next-generation viewing expertise. PFL is primetime on ESPN/ESPN+ within the U.S. and is broadcast and streamed in 150 nations with 20 premium media distribution companions.
Street to Dubai Champions Sequence Essential Card:
Light-weight World Title Bout: Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) vs. Paul Hughes (13-1)
Featherweight Essential Card Bout: Khasan Magomedsharipov (10-0) vs. Nathan Kelly (11-2)
Featherweight Essential Card Bout: Ibragim Ibragimov (8-0) vs. Kenny Mokhonoana (5-1)
Bantamweight Essential Card Bout: Renat Khavalov (8-0) vs. Cleiver Fernandes (9-1)
Street to Dubai Champions Sequence Preliminary Card:
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Tarek Suleiman (13-8) vs. Ahmed Samy (11-4)
Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Hadi Omar Al Hussaini (5-1-1) vs. Ruel Pañales (5-2)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Yakub Sulimanov (7-0) vs. Jarrah Al-Selawe (20-7)
Light-weight Preliminary Bout: John Mitchell (9-2) vs. Souhil Tairi (7-5-1)
Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Youssef Al Housani (4-1) vs. Assem Ghanem (4-0)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Mostafa Nada (9-3) vs. Haider Khan (8-1)
Light-weight Preliminary Bout: Mirafzal Akhtamov (7-0-1) vs. Mike Thompson (7-2)