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| (Image Source: Professional Fighters League) |
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) recently announced 24 total events through 2026 with 16 global events across the year which will be available on ESPN in the U.S. plus eight regional events evenly split across Africa and MENA. Kicking off the new year for the PFL is the third installment of the PFL: Road To Dubai series on February 7, 2026 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE headlined by the reigning PFL Lightweight World Champion Usman Nurmagomedov (20-0-0, 1 NC) who will look to make his first title defence against the 2025 PFL Lightweight World Tournament Champion Alfie “The Axe Man” Davis (20-5-1) with more fights due to be announced in the coming days.
The highly anticipated card will be the latest as part of a cooperation agreement between the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and PFL, further underlining the city’s reputation as a host destination for world-class sporting events and a hub for MMA. Nurmagomedov is coming off back-to-back wins in historic battles against Ireland’s Paul Hughes as he showcased elite MMA across ten rounds, proving to the division that his deadly blend of striking and wrestling is exactly why he sits at the top of the mountain. Undefeated in the sport and training under the leadership of his cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Usman is confident he will show Alfie Davis levels to the sport in his third headliner in Dubai. Undeterred by the underdog label, England’s Davis soared through the PFL Lightweight World Tournament in 2025, beating the betting favourite in all three of his bouts to earn the title and the $500,000 cash prize. In the final, Alfie defeated Usman’s teammate Gadzhi Rabadanov and put the camp on notice that he is not to be underestimated. His fluid and dangerous style of Karate makes him an unpredictable fighter with strikes that can come from all angles, ranging from spinning elbow KOs which defeated Clay Collard in his opening tournament bout, to spectacular axe kick finishes which earned him his nickname.
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| (Image Source: Professional Fighters League) |
“PFL: Road To Dubai is set to be a spectacular event and we can’t wait for what’s to come at Coca-Cola Arena on February 7th. Usman Nurmagomedov is an undefeated and dominant superstar who will mark his third appearance as the headliner in Dubai, but this time a fresh challenge awaits him in the opposite corner. Alfie Davis continually defies the odds, and will look to do it once more on the biggest stage. Get your tickets now, we will make this the biggest card in Dubai to date,” said PFL CEO John Martin. “Backed by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), this event ticks all the boxes as one of the elite competitions to be staged in Dubai. It is of great significance that we get to stage such high-profile athletes in Dubai. Not only does it get Dubai the attention of being among the top sports destinations, but also gives us the belief that we can aspire for much greater heights. Events like these help us maintain a connection with the people and the communities we live in. At the same time, they assist us in furthering the cause of sport and the crucial role sports plays in our lives,” said Dubai Sports Council Director of Events Department Eisa Sharif.
Meanwhile, the long awaited debut in Spain is officially scheduled for March 2026 as PFL Madrid is set to take over the capital. The momentum of MMA in the country is on a steep trajectory and fans will now get their wish as a global mixed martial arts promotion will bring the action to Spain for the first time. Pittsburgh will then play host as the second PFL debut city of 2026 as PFL Pittsburgh is planned for March. Famed for its sporting heritage, Pittsburgh will welcome its first major MMA show for nearly 10 years and will be PFL’s first show in the U.S. for 2026. PFL will visit Chicago for the fourth time on April. Most recently hosting stars such as Fabian Edwards, Sergio Pettis and Dalton Rosta in June 2025, PFL Chicago is promising to come back bigger and better than before. 2026 will see the best athletes on the PFL roster fight the best with showcase bouts set to display elite mixed martial arts. Tickets to PFL: Road To Dubai on February 7, 2026 are now available at pfl.info/dubai. Stay updated on PFL's official website (PFLMMA.com) and social media accounts for more on upcoming events for 2026.
