His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, along with His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) to launch a new global championship in mixed martial arts (MMA).

The new Professional Fighters League (PFL) Championship, titled ‘Road to Dubai’, features a series of international mixed martial arts events across various cities worldwide, culminating in the season finale in Dubai. The highly anticipated event will take place on 25 January, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai’s City Walk.

The championship will be headlined by the returning ‘Pride of Dagestan’, Usman Nurmagomedov, the undefeated Bellator Lightweight World Champion with an impressive 18-0 record. He will defend his title against Ireland’s Paul ‘Big News’ Hughes (13-1), fresh off the biggest victory of his career at PFL’s Battle of the Giants, where he triumphed over AJ McKee. The championship is the first of its kind to be held in the Middle East.

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that the launch of this global mixed martial arts championship underscores the trust placed in Dubai by the global sports community and international federations. He highlighted the city’s position as a leading destination for hosting major international tournaments across various disciplines, supported by its commitment to ensuring the success of such events and strengthening its position as a leading hub on the global sports map.

The multi-year agreement seeks to also attract and develop talented Emirati athletes in mixed martial arts as well as prepare them to compete in international championships. The agreement will contribute to strengthening Dubai’s position on the global sports map, with a particular focus on the world of MMA.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, an affiliate of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Dubai Sports Council, and Pete Murray, CEO of the Professional Fighters League.

The Professional Fighters League features elite mixed martial artists, including Dagestani lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, alongside other renowned competitors vying for the title. Demonstrating its commitment to developing mixed martial arts in Dubai, the PFL provides emerging Emirati fighters with a pathway to become future champions.

The Professional Fighters League stands as a global powerhouse in MMA and is recognised as the fastest-growing sports league in the world.