Now then my people! We are fresh off the back of a fantastic UFC card last weekend in LA. Now we make the trip over to Dubai for its Champions Series event, headlined by Usman Nurmagomedov and Irelands Paul Hughes. Dagestan v Ireland? Sound familiar? Well we know Khabib will be there in Usman’s corner. But will a certain notorious Irishman make an appearance to support his fellow countryman Paul Hughes. I reckon so! Anyhow let’s take a look at this main card.

1st up it’s a couple of talented Bantamweights entering the smart cage.

Renat Khavalov vs. Cleiver Fernandes

Renat comes into this one with a perfect record of 8 fights and 8 wins. Whilst Fernandes is no slouch with a pro career of 10 fights with only 1 loss on his record.

Renat Khavalov has some real pop in his stand up game. He has won 6 of his last 7 fights by TKO/KO. Which is always an eye opener in the lower weight classes in particular. He is also a former Eagle FC champion.

Cleiver Fernandes hails from Brazil and is a former Shooto Brazil champion. Whilst he isn’t a knockout artist like his opponent. He has a serious submission game that must be respected. 3 of his last 4 fights he has won by submission.

Khavalov is a massive favourite to win this one and I can’t disagree with the sports books.

PICK – Renat Khavalov to win.

On to our second fight of the night. Featherweights on deck and one’s a super talented prospect from the UK.

Ibragim Ibragimov vs. Kenny Mokhonoana

Ibragim Ibragimov fights out of Manchester, England but originally hails from Dagestan. So it will be no surprise when I tell you his nickname is The Mauler, and he is part of Team Khabib. Shall I even bother with a breakdown? Lol. He is 8-0 as a professional and 2-0 in the PFL. The kids a problem.

Irishman Kenny Mokhonoana had 3 fights under the Bellator banner, going 2-1. He is 5-1 as a professional. What I like about Kenny is he has a legit submission game, so facing a grappler isn’t all bad for him. He’s the underdog quite rightly, but will pose a threat in any scrambles and off his back.

But I can’t go against a prospect who trains with Khabib. Plus from the tape I’ve seen of Ibragimov he could well be the real deal. At 21 he has a stack of time to continue his improvements. I don’t see an upset here.

PICK – Ibragim Ibragimov to win.

Let’s keep this card rolling! Our third fight of the night takes us to a potential banger! Whilst we stick with the 145 pounders.

Nathan Kelly vs. Akhmed Magomedov.

Nathan Kelly has certainly looked like one of the best and more entertaining fighters on the PFL/Bellator brand since his debut in 2022. Going 7-0 across the promotions. Winning 6 of the 7 by finish and pulled off a Ninja Choke last time out against Jose Sanchez.

Akhmed Magomedov does step into this fight on short notice, replacing Khasan Magomedsharipov. But this guys still a huge problem for anyone in the PFL at 145. He is 10-1 as a professional. As you’d expect he’s got a good ground game! You don’t come from Dagestan without one. He is the betting favourite.

But this is one where I firmly role with the underdog! I really like Kelly. He’s dangerous everywhere. If he keeps it standing he’s got a bigger advantage. But I fancy him to hold his own on the mat too. Let’s hear those dogs bark! The winning streak continues.

PICK – Nathan Kelly to win.

Time for the co-main event of the evening. Who doesn’t love a heavyweight match up!

Vadim Nemkov vs. Tim Johnson.

I am sure if you’ve watched Bellator before you know all about these 2. Vadim Nemkov is a former light heavyweight champion under the Bellator promotion, and makes his debut in the big boy division here. Nemkov had pop in his hands at 205, so I can’t wait to see what he’s got up a weight division. This is the guy that knocked out Ryan Bader to win the 205 belt in under 2 rounds back in 2020. He is 10-0 under the PFL/Bellator promotion.

Tim Johnson is 18-10 as a professional and is a great opponent to welcome Nemkov to the heavyweight division. He did lost last time out to Denis Goltsov, but before that he’d won 3 on the bounce, 2 by KO. So whilst he is rightly the underdog, he’s still got that threat of KO power that Nemkov needs to worry about. If Nemkov gets sloppy, Johnson can put his lights out fast.

I just don’t think Nemkov will be sloppy. I expect him to be fully prepared for the division, having had a full year to prepare. I also wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a statement performance, and a 1st round knockout.

PICK – Vadim Nemkov to win.

ITS TIME FOR THE MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING! 5 rounds of war! The age of rivalry of Dagestan v Ireland!

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes.

This one’s got some spice to it for obvious reasons, and it was only further spiced up by comments made by the Nurmagomedov camp about the overall quality of Irish MMA fighters. It’s safe to say “Big News” Paul Hughes has a point to prove here.

As with most from the Khabib camp and blood line, you know what you’re going to get from their fighters mainly. Grappling. So this kind of turns into a fight where if Hughes can stop the takedown game of Usman, he wins. But to be fair to Usman he can strike, it’s just not where he holds the more obvious advantage.

I don’t see Usman been able to finish Paul Hughes, who’s only loss came way back in 2020 against a very talented, and now UFC athlete Jordan Vucenic by split decision. A loss he avenged unanimously. So I think we are going to get a bit of a cat and mouse 5 rounder. Just my take.

If Hughes can keep it standing, and minimise the grappling of Usman he’s got a great chance of taking the W. But it’s going to be incredibly tough. Make no bones about that. But I think this is a much closer fight than what the sports books have it priced. As Usman is currently a -450 favourite.

For me it’s very much a head v heart pick. Plus I don’t like to root for anyone who’s failed a drugs test, which Usman did recently after popping following his fight with Brent Primus. So I’ll be rooting for Hughes to get this done. But logically, I think Usman holds most of the advantages.

PICK – Usman Nurmagomedov to win.

Enjoy the violence my degenerate friends!

Phil @PPDSPORTS for Fight Bananas Official.