PFL Champions Series Dubai: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes - Main card, start time, main event walkouts, and more

Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes are set to headline the upcoming PFL Champion Series event, which takes place at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Jan. 25. The event marks the promotion's debut in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will also see their new fighter pay-scheme in action for the first time, with the PFL now rewarding tournament winners $500,000 instead of the previous $1 million.

Nurmagomedov last fought back in September, when he faced Alexandr Shabliy. The 26-year-old comfortably won the bout via unanimous decision to defend his lightweight title for a second time, which also saw him extend his undefeated streak to 18 wins.

Fo Hughes, the Irishman is planning on causing the upset after he earned his shot at the belt with a split-decision win over A.J. McKee last October. The 27-year-old is currently in the form of his career and will step into the cage riding high on a seven-fight win streak.

In the co-main event, heavyweights Vadim Nemkov and Timothy Johnson are set to throw down and have promised fans a violent conclusion to their rivalry. Elsewhere, featherweights Akhmed Magomedov and Nathan Kelly will face-off, with Ibragim Ibragimov also taking on Kenny Mokhonoana. Opening the main card action will be a bantamweight bout between Renat Khavalov and Cleiver Fernandes.

All of the action is set to kick-off at 11:00am ET (4:00pm GMT), with the main event walkouts expected around 4:00pm ET (9:00pm GMT).

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Usman Nurmagomedov weighs in on Paul Hughes' chances against him

Usman Nurmagomedov recently opened up about his upcoming lightweight title defense against Paul Hughes.

Speaking in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Nurmagomedov dismissed Hughes as a genuine danger to his title reign and stated that it doesn't matter what gameplan he is preparing. The 26-year-old then went on to add that he believes he is the better fighter in all aspects of MMA. Nurmagomedov said:

"He said when he punches me, something will change – but who can do that? Someone has punched me? Never. No. Nobody can touch me. … Sometimes, I’m really thinking like, ‘How can he beat me? How?’ Even striking, I’m much better than him in striking. I don’t know what his plan is for this fight, but I will follow my plans and do my job. I don’t care what he will do."

Check out Usman Nurmagomedov's comments here (10:00):