In the Professional Fighters League’s first event of 2025, the marquee narrative was a battle of Ireland vs Dagestan fighters. All the way through the main event, Dagestan reigned supreme. With several fighters featured from Russian territories, the PFL saw fighters such as Ibragim Ibragimov, Vadim Nemkov and Bellator MMA lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, who retained his title against Paul Hughes in an instant classic mixed martial arts bout.
Instantly crediting Hughes following his win after admitting he underestimated him, Nurmagomedov capped off an incredible night for Russia, particularly Dagestan, which has a vice-grip hold atop PFL in several weight classes.