DUBAI, Feb. 7, 2026 — Usman Nurmagomedov emphatically defended his Professional Fighters League (PFL) lightweight championship Saturday, submitting Alfie Davis in the third round and further solidifying his position as a dominant force in mixed martial arts.
Nurmagomedov Dominates Davis in Title Defense
The undefeated Nurmagomedov continues to build his legacy with a decisive victory in Dubai.
- Usman Nurmagomedov (21-0) defeated Alfie Davis via arm triangle choke at 4:41 of the third round.
- The fight headlined PFL’s first event of 2026 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
- Ramazan Kuramagomedov won the vacant PFL welterweight title before announcing his retirement.
- Nurmagomedov is widely considered one of the best lightweights outside of the UFC.
Nurmagomedov, 25, showcased his well-rounded skill set, controlling the fight from the opening bell. He methodically broke down Davis with precise striking and relentless pressure before securing the submission victory with an arm triangle choke at 4:41 of the third round. “It was a simple game plan,” Nurmagomedov said after the fight. “Make him tired, make him work, make him wrestle and the finish is going to come.”
Davis (20-6-1), who earned his title shot by winning the PFL’s World Tournament in 2025, appeared overwhelmed by Nurmagomedov’s skill and physicality. Despite smiling throughout the bout, Davis struggled to find any offensive rhythm, consistently missing strikes and failing to defend Nurmagomedov’s attacks.
Nurmagomedov, a cousin of retired MMA superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov, previously reigned as the Bellator MMA lightweight champion, defending the title three times before the PFL’s acquisition of Bellator in 2025 consolidated the two organizations’ rosters. He also trains alongside current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, further highlighting his elite-level training environment.
What makes Usman Nurmagomedov such a difficult opponent? He combines relentless grappling with increasingly refined striking, making him a threat in all phases of the fight.
In the co-main event, Ramazan Kuramagomedov (14-0) captured the PFL’s vacant welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Shamil Musaev (20-1-1). However, the celebration was short-lived, as Kuramagomedov shocked the MMA world by announcing his immediate retirement. The 29-year-old revealed he had decided to retire if he won the championship, a decision he made during his fight preparations. He also disclosed suffering a broken arm during the contest, despite securing 48-46 scores from all three judges.
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