MMA Match Preview: Corey Anderson (20-6, 1 NC) vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (25-7-1) (Title Fight)

Venue & Event Details

Location: Coca‑Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Time: Main card begins 7:30 p.m. local (3:30 p.m. GMT / 11:30 a.m. ET)

Promotion: PFL Champions Series 3, co‑main event

Format: 5 rounds, Light Heavyweight Championship

Injury Report

Corey Anderson: No reported injuries; enters camp healthy after moving between light heavyweight and heavyweight earlier in 2025.

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov: No major injuries reported; fully fit after a strong 2024 campaign.

Fighter Matchups

Corey “Overtime” Anderson (20‑6, 1 NC)

Style: Wrestling base with improved boxing.

Strengths: Pressure, cardio, ground‑and‑pound, ability to mix levels.

Recent Form: Three‑fight winning streak, including a heavyweight win over Denis Goltsov in July 2025. Captured the PFL light heavyweight title earlier this year with a unanimous decision over Yagshimuradov.

Keys to Win: Use wrestling to neutralize Yagshimuradov’s striking, maintain pace over five rounds.

Dovletdzhan “Turkic Power” Yagshimuradov (25‑7‑1)

Style: Striker with knockout power, Sambo background.

Strengths: Explosive striking, spinning attacks, durability.

Recent Form: Seven‑fight winning streak before losing to Anderson in early 2025. Previously knocked out Impa Kasanganay in under a minute to win the 2024 PFL light heavyweight tournament.

Keys to Win: Keep fight standing, manage cardio, land power shots early to disrupt Anderson’s rhythm.

Fight History

First Meeting (Jan 2025): Anderson defeated Yagshimuradov via unanimous decision (49‑45, 49‑45, 48‑47) in Dubai. Anderson survived early adversity, then controlled with striking and ground‑and‑pound.

Prior Encounter (Bellator 2021): Anderson stopped Yagshimuradov in the third round.

FIGHT ODDS

Corey Anderson                               – 175

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov      + 145

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, October 2, 2025