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NEW YORK: The Professional Fighters League has announced a championship double-header for its return to the UAE, as two PFL world title bouts will headline PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai - The Rematch on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Coca-Cola Arena.

The biggest rematch in PFL history takes center stage, as Dagestan’s undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov (19‑0, 1 NC) and Ireland’s Paul Hughes (14‑2) battle for the PFL lightweight title in the main event.

In the co-main event, former Bellator light heavyweight champion Corey Anderson (19-6) will face 2024 PFL light heavyweight tournament champion Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1) for the PFL light heavyweight title.

Three bouts have also been confirmed for the early card, including a heavyweight wrestling clash between former Iranian national team member Pouya Rahmani (4-0) and Tunisian Olympian Slim Trabelsi (8-0), both of whom will be looking to preserve their undefeated records.

The second is a grudge match nearly seven years in the making between Zubaira Tukhugov (20-6-1) and Artem Lobov (14-15-1). Originally planned for 2018, the matchup was scrapped following the UFC 229 post-fight brawl and subsequent suspensions.

Finally, 2024 PFL MENA welterweight champion Omar El-Dafrawy (14-5) of Egypt will fight 2024 PFL Europe welterweight champion Florim Zendeli (10-1-1) of Albania in a battle of the regional tournament winners, both of whom are in the midst of multi-fight unbeaten streaks.

Additional main card and early card bouts will be announced at a later date.

The October event is part of PFL’s multi-year partnership with the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

Since its launch in November, the Road to Dubai campaign has brought a series of PFL global MMA events to the UAE. While the finale is scheduled for January, the October event is an additional showcase.

PFL CEO John Martin said it would be “one of the biggest nights in PFL history.”

“To have two PFL world titles on the line, featuring four world-class athletes at the top of their game, shows exactly what makes the PFL different. This is more than just a fight card, it’s a global showcase of elite talent, compelling narratives and the power of our international platform. Dubai is quickly becoming one of the sport’s true capitals and there’s no better setting for a night of championship-level drama and the biggest rematch in PFL history.”

Nurmagomedov and Hughes first met in January, also at the Coca-Cola Arena, and delivered an instant fight-of-the-year contender. The sold-out event saw fans traveling from Russia and Ireland to create a charged atmosphere for an electric five-round battle. While Nurmagomedov emerged victorious, the outcome sparked fierce debate among fans, many of whom felt Hughes had done enough for victory, setting the stage for a not-to-be-missed rematch.

Fueled by the loss, Hughes came roaring back with a statement win in May with a 42-second stoppage of Bruno Miranda in front of a capacity crowd in Belfast. After the fight, he made his intentions crystal clear: “Usman Nurmagomedov, you can run and delay this rematch as long as you want, but your day is coming.”

Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov remains undefeated and is widely regarded as one of the most technically complete fighters in MMA. Competing in what many consider the sport’s toughest division, the 27-year-old champion’s resume includes victories over elite opponents like former champions Patricky Pitbull and Benson Henderson, and Alexander Shabliy.

The light heavyweight title contest is also a rematch of the fighters’ 2021 Bellator World Grand Prix quarterfinal, where Anderson earned a third-round finish over Yagshimuradov. Anderson went on to capture the Bellator light heavyweight championship and most recently handed 2024 PFL heavyweight champion Denis Goltsov his first loss in nearly two years, stopping him last month at PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai — Cape Town.

Meanwhile, the pride of Turkmenistan has been on a tear since that defeat, riding a dominant seven-fight win streak, a run capped by a victory over Impa Kasanganay to claim the 2024 PFL light heavyweight title.

TAIF, ����ֱ��: The final round of the 2025 Saudi Toyota Hill Climb Championship concluded on Saturday in Aqabat Al-Muhammadiyah in Al-Shafa. The event was organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, supported by the Ministry of Sport, in collaboration with official partner Jameel Motorsport, the digital enabler “stc,” and the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.

The third and concluding round witnessed fierce competition among participants across various categories. In the end, Mamoun Al-Qabbani achieved the fastest time, clocking 1:43.879, followed by Faisal Al-Qabbani in second place with a time of 1:44.807, and Jean Lahoud in third place with 1:46.180.

In Class 1, Mamoun Al-Qabbani secured first place with 1:43.879, followed by Faisal Al-Qabbani in second, and Mahmoud Abed in third. In Class 2a, driver Jean Lahoud took first place with 1:46.180, with Ahmed Bajunaid in second and Ahmed Al-Qaidi in third. In Class 2b, Abdullah Al-Qabbani clinched first place with 1:51.966, followed by Rabie Al-Awar in second and Mohammed Al-Sharyan in third.

In Class 3a, driver Ibrahim Al-Shuraida took first place with 1:53.424, followed by Sultan Hamdi in second and Khaled Baghdadi in third. Class 3b was topped by Riad Batal with 2:02.221, followed by Hamza Bakhsheb in second and Abdullah Khoja in third. In Class 4a, Abdullah Al-Khuriji won first place with 2:00.827, followed by Abdullah Moumena in second and Hesham Al-Badea in third. In Class 4b, Ali Al-Khudir took first place with 2:04.534, followed by Abi Wael Dhafar in second and driver Ali Fadl Ali in third.

In Class 5a, Abdulaziz Al-Fadhili claimed first place with 2:08.987, followed by driver Enas Hamzah in second, and Mohammed Abdulghaffar in third. In Class 5b, Hatem Al-Hazmi took first place with 2:07.946, followed by Mohammed Habbal in second and Mazen Hijazi in third.

In Category 2 SS, Abdulaziz Al-Rumaih won first place with 1:51.510. In Category 2 SC, driver Abdullah Al-Omari claimed first place with 1:59.940, followed by Saeed Al-Mouri in second and Talal Al-Asimi in third.

This year’s Saudi Toyota Hill Climb Championship delivered an exceptional level of competition across all three rounds, showcasing remarkable improvement in drivers’ performances and reflecting the Kingdom’s rapid motorsport development, thanks to ongoing support and empowerment.

The championship underscores the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation’s commitment to delivering a fully integrated organizational experience that meets the highest international standards, providing a stimulating competitive environment that enables national talents to demonstrate their capabilities and prepare for participation in regional and international championships with confidence and skill.

With the Hill Climb season now concluded, the Saudi Toyota Championships will resume in September in Riyadh with the highly anticipated Drift and Time Attack competitions.