Usman Nurmagomedov-Paul Hughes, Nemkov-Delija Booked for Road to Dubai in Jan.

The first Professional Fighters League show of the new year will make use of its merged roster well.

The promotion announced via press release the top two bouts for PFL’s Road to Dubai, also known as Champions Series Dubai. This event, the rebranding of the Bellator MMA Champions Series from 2024, will be held on Jan. 25 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The main attraction will be a lightweight championship attraction as Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0, 1 NC) puts his Bellator belt on the line against Paul Hughes (13-1). Additionally, the co-headliner comes at heavyweight as ex-Bellator kingpin Vadim Nemkov (17-2, 1 NC) battles PFL veteran Ante Delija (24-6).

Nurmagomedov returned following a failed post-fight drug test for an undisclosed substance that resulted in his lightweight title defense against Brent Primus turning to a no contest. The promotion allowed him to keep his belt and continue defending it, as he staved off Alexandr Shabliy in September to remain undefeated. Nurmagomedov claimed the throne against Patricky Freire in 2022 and kept an iron grip on it the following year by tapping Benson Henderson.

Ireland’s Hughes earned a crack at 155-pound gold by beating A.J. McKee on the scorecards in a close contest. The former Cage Warriors Fighting Championship featherweight champ introduced himself to the major leagues by pounding out Bobby King in June to set himself up for the matchup with McKee. The lone loss for “Big News” came against Jordan Vucenic, and he avenged it three fights later.

Former light heavyweight champion Nemkov moved back to heavyweight in February, where he put Bruno Cappelozza to sleep with an arm-triangle choke to push his unbeaten streak to 13 straight. Nemkov broke the Bellator record for the most title defenses at 205 pounds before his move, vacating his belt willingly. According to Nemkov, this is the final fight on his Bellator/PFL contract, and he has his sights set on greener pastures after this bout.

Looking to spoil the party will be 2022 PFL heavyweight tourney winner Delija. In April, the Croatian fighter had his five-fight win streak come to a crashing halt when Valentin Moldavsky ran through him in less than half a round. Before the knockout loss, Delija had racked up three knockouts in five victories, including stoppages of Renan Ferreira and Matheus Scheffel to claim the PFL throne that year. For the time being, the co-main event is official per the promotion, although a source close to the situation informed Sherdog that Delija may be undergoing surgery soon and that the booking is not finalized.