By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo Credit: PFL.
Sergei Bilostenniy became the new Professional Fighters League (PFL) heavyweight world champion after outpointing Vadim Nemkov in a hard fought unanimous decision at PFL Dubai, as the organisation returned to the Coca Cola Arena for the fourth time.
Staged in co=operation with the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the event delivered a night of high stakes action, headlined by an all Russian contest between two former training partners whose friendship was put aside for the championship.
Ranked third in the heavyweight division, Bilostenniy (16-4) overcame an early submission threat before taking control with his striking. He gradually broke down the champion, leaving Nemkov (20-3) bloodied and unable to match his output across the five rounds.
The victory secured Bilostenniy the PFL heavyweight title and marked a defining moment in his career.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Vadim Nemkov and Team Fedor. The plan today was to fight and just have fun,” Bilostenniy said.
“I used to have a dream where I would call my parents and tell them, ‘Hey, I am a world champion’, and now I am going to call my parents. Dreams do come true. Keep dreaming, work hard.”
Belgian welterweight Patrick Habirora continued his rapid rise with a spectacular first round submission victory over Omar El Dafrawy in the co main event.
The fourth ranked Habirora (10-0) arrived with a reputation for knockout power, but showed another dimension to his game by securing a standing guillotine choke that left fifth ranked El Dafrawy (16-7) unconscious.
It was Habirora’s first career victory by submission and the first time El Dafrawy had been submitted. The finish also extended the Belgian’s remarkable run to five consecutive first round stoppages.
The 25 year old wasted little time in turning his attention towards the welterweight championship. “I am 25 years old, I’ve been putting every guy I’ve been facing to sleep,” Habirora said. “Nakisa! Hey, boss. Next is the belt. Let’s go!”
There was also a significant statement from heavyweight contender Oleg Popov, who ended Pouya Rahmani’s unbeaten record with a dominant performance.
The number one ranked Popov (24-2), already the 2025 PFL World Heavyweight Tournament champion, handed Rahmani (6-1) the first defeat of his professional career. The one sided victory further strengthened Popov’s credentials as a leading contender for the division’s world title.
Japan’s Joji Goto also made an impressive introduction to the PFL with a shutout unanimous decision win over former Bellator bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis.
Goto (22-9-1) controlled the contest against the fourth ranked Pettis (25-9), then used his post fight interview to make his ambitions clear, declaring himself a potential challenger for the PFL bantamweight championship.
On the main card, Britain’s Lewis McGrillen delivered on his promise to show an improved version of himself against Nawras Abzakh.
The 26 year old, who entered the contest with a record of 14-2, overwhelmed Abzakh (15-7, 1 NC) with five minutes of relentless pressure and a flying knee. Abzakh was unable to continue and retired between rounds, handing McGrillen a convincing victory.
The early card also featured a grudge match between Connor Hughes and Shem Rock. Hughes (13-3), a finalist in the PFL Europe lightweight tournaments in 2024 and 2025, settled the rivalry with a decisive second round knockout, dropping the debuting Rock (12-4-1) face first to the canvas.
Bilostenniy’s championship triumph provided the headline moment in Dubai, while Habirora’s latest finish and the performances of Popov and Goto added further intrigue to the PFL’s heavyweight and welterweight divisions.
Full PFL Dubai Main Card Results:
PFL Heavyweight (265 lbs) World Title Main Event: #3-Sergei Bilostenniy (16-4) def. C-Vadim Nemkov (20-3) via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47).
Welterweight (170 lbs) Co-Main Event: #4-Patrick Habirora (10-0) def. #5-Omar El Dafrawy (16-7) via technical submission (guillotine choke) at 3:11 of round 1.
Heavyweight (265 lbs.) Bout: #1-Oleg Popov (24-2) def. Pouya Rahmani (6-1) via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-27).
Bantamweight (135 lbs.) Bout: Joji Goto (22-9-1) def. #4-Sergio Pettis (25-9) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Bantamweight (135 lbs) Bout: Lewis McGrillen (14-2) def. Nawras Abzakh (15-7, 1 NC) via TKO (retirement) at 5:00 of round 1.