Under the dazzling lights of Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, Usman Nurmagomedov once again proved why he’s the toast of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) lightweight division. On February 7, 2026, the undefeated Russian extended his flawless professional record to 21-0, dispatching British challenger Alfie Davis by technical submission in the third round of the PFL: Road to Dubai main event. The night marked the launch of the PFL’s 2026 season, and what a way to kick things off!
Fans packed the arena, their excitement palpable as chants of “Usman! Usman! Usman!” echoed from the stands, setting the stage for a showdown that had been months in the making. The star power wasn’t limited to those inside the cage—celebrities like Anthony Joshua, Hasbulla, and Mario Balotelli watched from cageside, underscoring the global draw of this much-anticipated title defense.
Nurmagomedov, cousin to UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, entered the octagon with a perfect 20-0 record and a reputation for finishing fights in style. This was his third PFL lightweight title defense in just 13 months, all staged at the Coca-Cola Arena—a venue that’s quickly become his home turf. His challenger, Alfie Davis, earned his title shot by stringing together three straight victories, including a memorable win over Gadzhi Rabadanov, another member of the Nurmagomedov training circle.
From the opening bell, both fighters made it clear they weren’t there to play it safe. The first round saw a classic battle of kicks and stance switches. Davis, known for his flashy striking and creative footwork, tried to keep Nurmagomedov guessing, but the champion’s kicks landed with more authority. After four minutes of stand-up exchanges, Nurmagomedov scored the first takedown, pressing Davis against the cage and working from top position. Though Davis managed to escape the round without significant damage, the writing was on the wall: Nurmagomedov’s grappling would be a factor.
Round two picked up the pace, with both men letting their kicks fly. Davis attempted a trio of spinning attacks and even blocked a spinning kick from the champ, but Nurmagomedov’s striking volume and accuracy left a mark. The Brit loosened up as the round wore on, but the champion’s defense was on point, slipping most of Davis’s best efforts. As the round closed, wild exchanges brought the crowd to its feet, but neither fighter managed a decisive blow.
The third round would be where the story took a dramatic turn. Nurmagomedov wasted no time, securing an early takedown and getting to work with punches to the body and head. Davis, who had never been knocked out in his 26-fight professional career, tried to scramble free but found himself increasingly trapped. After a brief return to the feet, Nurmagomedov shot for another takedown, expertly taking Davis’s back and methodically working for the finish. With just 19 seconds left in the round, the champion locked in a tight arm-triangle choke. Davis fought valiantly, but the squeeze was too much—he was forced to tap, handing Nurmagomedov his 21st consecutive win and another successful title defense.
The official result: Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Alfie Davis via technical submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:41 of round three, retaining his lightweight title in emphatic fashion. According to PFL’s official scoring, Nurmagomedov was ahead on all judges’ cards, having dominated the early rounds 10-9. The victory cements his status as the PFL’s pound-for-pound king and arguably its biggest star.
“Usman Nurmagomedov is the PFL’s biggest star,” reported Cageside Press, and nights like this only reinforce that claim. The Russian’s unique blend of striking and grappling—he’s the rare Nurmagomedov with a boxing background—makes him a nightmare for any challenger. His ability to control the pace on the feet and seamlessly transition to dominant positions on the ground was on full display against Davis, who simply couldn’t find an answer to the champion’s relentless attack.
Davis, for his part, showed why he was deserving of the title shot. He never stopped fighting, throwing creative kicks and refusing to wilt under pressure. But Nurmagomedov’s experience, composure, and technical prowess proved insurmountable. For Davis, the loss snaps a three-fight win streak, but he remains a dangerous contender in the division.
The main event capped off a stacked card that also saw Ramazan Kuramagomedov claim the inaugural PFL welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Shamil Musaev. Other highlights included Abdoul Abdouraguimov’s split decision win over Kendly St. Louis, Salamat Isbulaev’s submission victory over Jesus Pinedo, and Taylor Lapilus’s third-round TKO of Kasum Kasumov. The event also featured a host of finishes, with submissions and knockouts peppering both the main and preliminary cards, keeping fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
“The arena featured chants of ‘Usman! Usman! Usman!’ during the fight,” noted Cageside Press, and it’s hard to argue with the crowd’s enthusiasm. The Coca-Cola Arena has become a fortress for Nurmagomedov, and with each defense, his legend grows. The fact that he’s now 21-0, with three title defenses in just over a year, puts him in rarefied air—not just in the PFL, but in the sport of MMA as a whole.
What’s next for the undefeated champion? Speculation is already swirling about potential super fights, including a possible cross-promotion showdown with UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. For now, though, Nurmagomedov can bask in the glow of another dominant performance and a growing legacy that shows no signs of slowing down.
As the lights dimmed in Dubai and fans spilled into the night, one thing was clear: Usman Nurmagomedov’s reign atop the PFL lightweight division is far from over. With each victory, the target on his back grows larger, but so does his aura of invincibility. The rest of the lightweight division has its work cut out for it—because right now, Nurmagomedov is in a league of his own.