The B-League: PFL Champions Series 2

Jessica tells us all about the rematch heavy PFL Champions Series 2 card.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 FROM THE COCA-COLA ARENA IN DUBAI, UAE
PRELIMS: 11AM EASTERN USA (OCT. 3)

MAIN EVENT - VACANT LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP:USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV (19-0) VS PAUL HUGHES (14-2)

Mama Mia, Here we Go Again. It’s Dagestan vs Ireland 2: The Squeakquel - Nurmagomedov vs Hughes 2.

These two had a pretty good fight back in January that ended in a majority decision win for Usman, by dint of a point deduction due to a groin strike. But, fret not, this isn’t an immediate rematch. Paul Hughes went out and knocked out Bruno Miranda in May.

I have fleeting memories of the first fight being pretty good. As with any rematch, the question of “who improved more?” looms, but we also have to consider the classic MMA corollary: which of these guys is going throw their normal gameplan out the window in some misguided attempt at being a TRUE WARRIOR?

All I know is that whoever wins, we’ll probably see this matchup again soon, because who else is going to compete for the prestigious PFL title? Alfie Davis, the 2025 PFL Tournament winner? Pshaw, don’t be ridiculous.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: COREY ANDERSON (19-6) VS DOVLET YAGSHIMURADOV (25-7-1)

It’s the night of several rematches! These two originally clashed back in 2021 at Bellator 257, with Anderson groundedly pounding out Yagshimuradov in the third round. Since then, Corey has gone 4-1 (1 NC), winning Bellator Light Heavyweight gold, plus moving up in weight and beating Denis Goltsov in July.

Dovlet has gone 7-1, winning the 2024 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament, capturing the crown with a sub-minute knockout over Impa Kasanganay. However, Dovlet has not fought since then, sitting on ice from November 2024 until now.

Both guys are heavy punchers, but Anderson should have a significant wrestling edge, and best of all, he’s not afraid to just sit on top of another man in order to win a fight.

BANTAMWEIGHT: MAGOMED MAGOMEDOV (21-4) VS SERGIO PETTIS (24-7)

How many Magomeds must one man walk? Probably like three, right?

Both men have recently lost to Patchy Mix and rebounded with decision wins this past June. Magomedov did lose to Raufeon Stots in 2021, while that’s the guy Pettis beat to end his two fight losing skid.

Magomed is gonna look for takedowns and Sergio is looking for not that. Whose cuisine will reign supreme?

Again, probably the Magomed.

LIGHTWEIGHT: ARCHIE COLGAN (12-0) VS JAY JAY WILSON (11-1)

Battle of the Barnaoui beaters. Colgan bested Mansour in June by decision, while Wilson won in 2023, also by decision.

Despite being two years younger, Wilson’s career started earlier, probably because Colgan was still wrestling. Both guys are still relatively young (Colgan is 30), and while they have shown themselves to be solid fighters, big showcase opportunities haven’t come around too often for either man, leaving them feeling like prospects to me. In Wilson’s case, he’s pulled out of a few fights, and also missed weight a couple of times, though those were all at 145 lbs.

Pending any weird shenanigans or fuckhousery, this should be a really good fight!

CATCHWEIGHT (140LBS): JACK CARTWRIGHT (12-2) VS CAOLAN LOUGHRAN (10-2)

Two blokes making their PFL debuts, can’t even hit an established weight class. Though, this was originally Loughran taking on Lewis McGrillen, but Lew pulled out, so this is a replacement.

Loughran went 2-2 in the UFC, losing to Taylor Lapilus and Jake Hadley, while beating Angel Pacheco and Nathan Fletcher.

Cartwright lost on the Contender Series, and that’s it for his high level experience. Sure, he went undefeated, won and defended a belt multiple times in Cage Warriors leading up to that, but his last defense prior to dumpstering the belt like Alundra Blayze was a DQ win because his opponent landed repeated headbutts. This is not serious competition.

HEAVYWEIGHT: POUYA RAHMANI (4-0) VS SLIM TRABELSI (8-0)

Undefeated regional heavyweight action, baby! Not only that, this is a rematch from a grappling bout in Karate Combat in May that Pouya won by decision.

This time, they get to punch faces! Are you ready for two guys to stumblebum around for twelve minutes until one guy connects with the most awkwardly dogshit “overhand” but since he’s 6’3” 245 lbs, it lands like a fucking anvil?

Then seek help.

OTHER PRELIMS

I dunno, it’s some guys. This thing starts at 11 AM on a Friday, I’m not watching these prelims.