The Professional Fighters League has officially unveiled the complete, star-studded 15-fight card for PFL Dubai, set to take place on Saturday, November 14, at the iconic Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This high-profile international showcase marks a significant milestone for the organization as its fourth major event in the vibrant city of Dubai. Furthermore, it serves as the promotion’s debut event in the region following its landmark merger with Most Valuable Promotions. The sprawling fight card is being staged in close cooperation with the Dubai Sports Council and the Department of Economy and Tourism, underscoring the region’s growing status as a premier global hub for elite combat sports.
Headlining this monumental card is a high-stakes heavyweight championship battle that pits reigning PFL heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov against surging No. 3-ranked contender Sergei Bilostenniy. The main event carries immense sporting significance, not only because a world title hangs in the balance, but also due to the deep historical ties and mutual familiarity shared between the two elite athletes.
Nemkov enters the contest with an unblemished record of 20 wins and 2 losses, boasting an incredible streak of being unbeaten across his last 15 professional appearances. Remarkably, the dominant champion has not tasted defeat in over a decade, establishing himself as one of the most formidable and well-rounded heavyweights in the history of the sport. As a longtime standout student of legendary mixed martial arts icon Fedor Emelianenko, Nemkov embodies the stoic, finishing-focused mindset of his legendary mentor. However, standing across the cage from him will be a familiar face who understands his tendencies inside and out. Bilostenniy previously trained alongside Nemkov as an integral member of the famed Team Fedor camp, setting the stage for a fascinating tactical chess match where secrets are few and far between.
Bilostenniy, holding a stellar 15-4 professional record, earned his way to this title opportunity through a series of dominant and statement-making performances. Notably, he cemented his status as a top contender by becoming the first fighter in promotional history to stop Karl Williams, before following up that impressive victory with a decisive finish over former PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira.
Reflecting on his approach to the upcoming defense, champion Vadim Nemkov emphasized his preference for decisive, early conclusions while remaining grounded in the chaotic realities of combat sports. He noted that while he always aims to secure a victory via submission or choke—staying true to Fedor’s philosophy that fights should ideally end early—mixed martial arts remains inherently unpredictable. Because things do not always go according to script, Nemkov stressed the vital importance of adaptability and composure during the heat of battle.
Challenger Sergei Bilostenniy shares a similarly aggressive and fan-friendly outlook ahead of their championship clash. Expressing immense excitement for the opportunity, Bilostenniy stated his primary goal is to treat the global audience to a thrilling, high-octane battle between two powerhouse Russian athletes. With his mindset locked in and his preparation peaking, Bilostenniy declared himself entirely ready for the war that awaits him in Dubai.
Co-Main Event and Top Contender Bouts
The co-main event of the evening features an intriguing welterweight showdown between undefeated Belgian prospect Patrick Habirora and inaugural PFL MENA welterweight champion Omar El Dafrawy.
Habirora carries a pristine 9-0 record into the contest, which will mark a major career milestone as he competes outside of Europe for the very first time. The rising star earned global attention following a blistering, 20-second knockout victory over former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in Brussels, instantly vaulting him into the upper echelon of the division. Meanwhile, El Dafrawy, who holds the No. 5 ranking in the PFL welterweight division, enters the matchup looking to halt Habirora’s meteoric rise on home-territory soil in the Middle East.
Acknowledging the magnitude of the moment, Habirora noted that this represents the biggest fight of his professional career against an opponent possessing exceptional experience. To prepare for the challenge, the Belgian prospect completed one of the most grueling and demanding training camps of his life. He assured fans that he plans to bring explosive energy and leave every ounce of his skill inside the cage on fight night.
The main card is packed with additional high-stakes matchups. Undefeated Dubai-based heavyweight standout Pouya Rahmani will step into the cage to face top-ranked contender Oleg Popov in a bout that could drastically shake up the heavyweight landscape. Additionally, former Bellator bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis makes his highly anticipated return to action to lock horns with veteran Japanese standout Joji Goto. In another compelling clash, Abubakar Nurmagomedov returns from a three-year layoff to test his skills against the formidable David Martinez.
The preliminary card is equally stacked with elite talent, featuring a critical heavyweight encounter between Denis Goltsov and Maxwell Djantou Nana. The featherweight division will also be heavily represented on the prelims, highlighted by matchups pairing Movlid Khaybulaev against Asaël Adjoudj, and Adam Borics squaring off against Khasan Magomedsharipov.
Broadcasting and Event Schedule
Combat sports fans around the world will have multiple ways to tune into the action. The preliminary card is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. ET, setting an intense pace for the morning before handing over the baton to the main card at 1 p.m. ET. Viewers residing in the United States will be able to stream the entire event live through the ESPN App. Meanwhile, fans across the Middle East and North Africa region can catch all the action live on STARZPLAY.
PFL Dubai Main Card
Coca-Cola Arena — Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Saturday, Nov. 14 — 1 p.m. ET
ESPN App | STARZPLAY
PFL Heavyweight World Championship Main Event: Vadim Nemkov (20-2) vs. Sergei Bilostenniy (15-4)
Welterweight Co-Main Event: Patrick Habirora (9-0) vs. Omar El Dafrawy (16-6)
Heavyweight: Pouya Rahmani (6-0) vs. Oleg Popov (23-2)
Welterweight: Abubakar Nurmagomedov (17-4-1) vs. David Martinez (17-6)
Bantamweight: Sergio Pettis (25-8) vs. Joji Goto (21-9-1)
PFL Dubai Preliminary Card
Saturday, Nov. 14 — 9 a.m. ET
ESPN App | STARZPLAY
Lightweight: Shem Rock (12-3-1) vs. Connor Hughes (12-3)
Bantamweight: Lewis McGrillen (13-2) vs. Nawras Abzakh (15-6)
Featherweight: Asaël Adjoudj (11-1) vs. Movlid Khaybulaev (23-0-1)
Lightweight: Alexei Pergande (8-0) vs. Akhmed Magomedov (11-2)
Featherweight: Khasan Magomedsharipov (11-0) vs. Adam Borics (20-4)
Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov (37-9) vs. Maxwell Djantou Nana (9-2)
Welterweight: Ernesto Rodriguez (11-2) vs. Rhys McKee (15-7-1)
Light Heavyweight: Khabib Nabiev (12-0) vs. Styve Ngono (8-1)
Welterweight: Khamzat Abaev (6-1) vs. Leon Hill (10-2)
Women’s Strawweight: Aleksandra Savicheva (8-2) vs. Jacinta Austin (9-2)
