Mixed martial arts fans worldwide turned their attention to Dubai as the Professional Fighters League (PFL) brought its Road to Dubai event to the Coca-Cola Arena on February 7, 2026. The night promised high stakes, fierce competition, and a showcase of some of the sport’s brightest unbeaten talents, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. With the vacant PFL Welterweight title up for grabs and a main card stacked with rising stars and seasoned finishers, the anticipation was palpable from the opening bell.
In the co-main event, two undefeated titans—Ramazan Kuramagomedov and Shamil Musaev—locked horns for the coveted 170-pound championship. Both fighters entered the cage with spotless records: Kuramagomedov at 13-0, boasting a perfect 4-0 split between PFL and Bellator, and Musaev at 20-0-1, also 4-0 in PFL competition. The stakes? Nothing less than the vacant welterweight crown and a shot at cementing their legacy in the PFL history books.
The narrative leading up to this clash was rich with intrigue. Kuramagomedov, who last competed in Bellator during 2023 and 2024, had not set foot in the PFL cage since the acquisition of Bellator by PFL. His 20-month hiatus only added to the suspense—would ring rust play a factor, or would his hunger for gold fuel a career-defining performance? Musaev, meanwhile, had last fought in November 2024, where he toppled Magomed Umalatov to claim the Tournament Championship, further solidifying his status as a top contender.
Physically, Kuramagomedov entered the bout with a slight edge: standing 6’1” to Musaev’s 5’10” and boasting a 73-inch reach compared to Musaev’s 72. But size isn’t everything in mixed martial arts, and Musaev’s resume speaks volumes. Ranked No. 1 at 170 pounds in PFL’s new rankings and holding the fifth spot in the organization’s pound-for-pound top 10, Musaev was the clear favorite according to DraftKings Sportsbook, coming in at -395 with Kuramagomedov as a +280 underdog.
Both men are renowned finishers—Musaev has stopped 14 of his 20 opponents, while Kuramagomedov has ended all 13 of his fights via knockout or submission. That’s right: neither man has ever gone the distance, a fact that had fans and pundits alike predicting fireworks. As the main card kicked off at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited, the question on everyone’s mind was simple: who would blink first?
While the welterweight title fight drew the lion’s share of attention, the Road to Dubai card was stacked from top to bottom. In the prelims, French bantamweight Taylor Lapilus delivered a performance that electrified the arena. Known during his UFC tenure as a “decision machine,” Lapilus (24-4) finally broke that mold in style. Facing the formidable Kasum Kasumov, a student of Khabib Nurmagomedov with a 16-3 record, Lapilus landed a beautiful left hand early in the third round, sending Kasumov crashing to the canvas. A quick flurry of punches later, referee Kerry Hatley stepped in at just 0:45 of Round 3, awarding Lapilus a TKO victory.
After the fight, Lapilus made his intentions clear, calling for a shot at the bantamweight title. With his PFL record now at 3-0—including wins over Ali Taleb and Liam Gittins—Lapilus has undeniably found his finishing touch. According to MMA Junkie, “Lapilus connected with a beautiful left hand early in Round 3 that floored the Khabib Nurmagomedov student Kasumov.” The stoppage marked a turning point for Lapilus, who had previously been known for letting the judges decide his fate.
The action didn’t stop there. The PFL: Road to Dubai event featured several other standout performances. Renat Khavalov dominated Edgars Skrivers with a unanimous decision victory, sweeping the judges’ scorecards 30-27 across the board. Amin Ayoub showcased technical prowess in his win over Makkasharip Zaynukov, earning scores of 30-27, 29-28, and 30-27. Denise Kielholtz, a fan favorite for her striking acumen, defeated Antonia Silvaneide with a unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28), while Luke Trainer pulled off a slick guillotine choke submission against Rob Wilkinson, wrapping things up at 3:48 of the first round.
These results highlighted the depth of talent present at the Road to Dubai event and underscored the PFL’s commitment to delivering world-class MMA action. Each fighter brought their A-game, and the results reflected both technical mastery and raw determination.
Back to the welterweight co-main event, the stakes could hardly be higher. Kuramagomedov’s return after a long layoff was shrouded in questions. Would his physical advantages translate into cage control and effective striking? Could Musaev, the division’s top dog, continue his reign of dominance and add another finish to his already impressive record?
PFL’s new rankings put Musaev at the top of the welterweight heap, with Kuramagomedov hot on his heels at No. 2. Musaev’s pound-for-pound status is no accident, built on a foundation of power, precision, and a relentless will to win. Three of his four PFL wins have come by knockout, and his ability to end fights at any moment makes him a constant threat. Kuramagomedov, for his part, is no stranger to high-pressure situations, having gone undefeated through two major promotions and finishing every opponent who’s stood across from him.
As fans settled in for the main card, the anticipation reached a fever pitch. With both men known for their finishing instincts and neither ever having tasted defeat, something had to give. Would Kuramagomedov’s reach and height advantage allow him to keep Musaev at bay? Or would Musaev’s experience and striking acumen prove too much for the returning challenger?
Elsewhere on the card, the storylines continued to develop. Taylor Lapilus’s emphatic finish sent shockwaves through the bantamweight division and set the stage for a potential title run. Renat Khavalov, Amin Ayoub, Denise Kielholtz, and Luke Trainer all added to their resumes with impressive victories, ensuring that the Road to Dubai event would be remembered for its high-level competition and dramatic moments.
As the dust settled in Dubai, the welterweight title still hung in the balance, with Kuramagomedov and Musaev locked in a battle that had fans on the edge of their seats. With both men’s undefeated records and reputations as finishers, the action was far from over. MMA enthusiasts around the globe will be watching closely to see who emerges as the new king of the PFL welterweight division—and whether Taylor Lapilus’s newfound finishing power leads him to championship gold.
One thing’s for sure: PFL Road to Dubai delivered on its promise of thrilling, high-stakes MMA, and the storylines born tonight are only just beginning to unfold.