PFL Dubai MMA Match Preview: Title Fight – Usman Nurmagomedov (20-0-0) vs. Alfie Davis (20-5-1)
PFL Dubai headlines the promotion’s 2026 season opener with a PFL Lightweight World Championship main event, pitting undefeated champion Usman Nurmagomedov against 2025 PFL Lightweight World Tournament winner Alfie Davis. Nurmagomedov, the cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov and a dominant force in the division, defends his title after capturing it in 2025 with a dominant performance. Davis, a British veteran known as “The Axe Man,” earned his shot by winning the 2025 tournament, bringing experience and resilience to challenge the unbeaten champion. This five-round title fight promises a high-level clash of elite grappling and well-rounded skills in one of PFL’s most anticipated matchups.
Location: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (indoor arena with capacity around 17,000; a key venue for major MMA events in the Middle East).
Start Time: Prelims at 9:00 a.m. ET (6:00 a.m. PT / 6:00 p.m. local time in Dubai); Main Card at 12:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. local). The Nurmagomedov vs. Davis main event ring walks are expected around 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET.
Broadcast: ESPN App (U.S.); Starzplay (MENA region).
Injury Report
No injuries have been reported for either fighter as of early February 2026. Nurmagomedov has shown no lingering issues from his 2025 title-winning campaign and recent defenses, appearing in peak condition during training camp footage and media days. Davis, fresh off his 2025 tournament run including a dominant win over Gadzhi Rabadanov in the finals, also reports full health with no setbacks. Both passed pre-fight medicals cleanly, and promotional updates confirm no concerns leading into fight week.
Fighter Matchups
This five-round PFL Lightweight World Championship (155 lbs) main event features Nurmagomedov’s elite wrestling and finishing ability against Davis’s well-rounded skill set and durability. Key elements:
Wrestling and Control: Nurmagomedov averages 4.0 takedowns per 15 minutes with 75% success, excelling in top control, ground-and-pound, and submissions (6 career subs). Davis defends 68% of takedowns but has been controlled in past losses, though he counters with strong scrambles and submission threats of his own (3 subs).
Striking Exchanges: Nurmagomedov lands 3.8 significant strikes per minute with precision (8 KO/TKO wins), using range and counters. Davis averages 4.2 strikes per minute with volume and power (6 KO/TKO wins), but absorbs more (3.5 per minute) and has been stopped once.
Physical Attributes: Nurmagomedov (5’11”, 70″ reach, age 26) has a slight reach edge over Davis (5’8″, 71″ reach, age 33). Nurmagomedov’s youth and athleticism could dominate late rounds, while Davis’s experience (26 fights) aids in five-round wars.
Intangibles: Nurmagomedov’s undefeated streak (20-0) and Team Khabib support provide momentum; Davis’s tournament win shows championship-level resilience but faces a stylistic challenge against elite wrestlers.
The fight likely sees Nurmagomedov control with takedowns and ground work, potentially finishing late or winning a decision.
Recent Form
Usman Nurmagomedov (20-0): Undefeated with dominant performances. Recent: W-Dec (Paul Hughes, Oct 2025), W-Dec (Paul Hughes, Jan 2025). Form: W-W-W-W-W (elite control, undefeated streak).
Alfie Davis (20-5-1): Tournament winner with a strong 2025 run. Recent: W-Dec (Gadzhi Rabadanov, Aug 2025), W-Dec (Brent Primus, Jun 2025), W-KO (Clay Collard, Apr 2025), L-Sub (Mansour Barnaoui, Nov 2024). Form: W-W-W-L-W (resilient, volume-based).
| Fighter | Pro Record | Finish Rate | Last 5 Fights | Sig. Strikes Landed/Min | Takedowns/15 Min |
| Usman Nurmagomedov | 20-0 | 70% (8 KO/TKO, 6 Subs) | W-Dec (Hughes, Oct 2025), W-Dec (Hughes, Jan 2025), W (Prior wins) | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| Alfie Davis | 20-5-1 | 45% (6 KO/TKO, 3 Subs) | W-Dec (Rabadanov, Aug 2025), W-Dec (Primus, Jun 2025), W-KO (Collard, Apr 2025), L-Sub (Barnaoui, Nov 2024), W | 4.2 | 1.5 |
Fight History
No prior head-to-head meetings; this is their first encounter. Nurmagomedov is 5-0 against tournament-level fighters, all dominant. Davis is 3-2 in high-level title shots, with wins by decision but losses to elite competition.
FIGHT ODDS
Usman Nurmagomedov – 200
Alfie Davis + 170
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, February 6, 2026
