- George Chung
- Aug 16
- 3 min read
Archie Colgan Puts Undefeated Record on the Line Against New Zealand’s Jay-Jay Wilson
2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Champion Lewis McGrillen Faces Ireland’s Caolan Loughran in PFL Debut
Former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion Sergio Pettis Set to Fight Bellator Title Challenger Magomed Magomedov
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced three new bouts that complete the main card of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai - The Rematch on Friday, October 3, live from Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Tickets for the event are on-sale now via this link.
At Lightweight, undefeated Archie Colgan (12-0) will face Jay-Jay Wilson (11-1) in a fight that will have serious future title implications at 155-pounds.
The 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Champion Lewis McGrillen (12-1) will be in action against a PFL debutant, when Ireland’s Caolan Loughran (10-2) enters the SmartCage for the first time in his career.
The first bout of the evening will feature Russia’s Magomed Magomedov (21-4) against former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion Sergio Pettis (24-7), in another bout that will directly affect the future championship landscape.
These three newly announced bouts round out a stacked main card headlined by a championship double-header. In the main event, Dagestan’s undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov (19-0, 1 NC) faces Ireland’s Paul Hughes (14-2) in the biggest rematch in PFL history for the Lightweight World Title. The co-main event sees former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Corey Anderson (19-6) take on 2024 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1) with the PFL Light Heavyweight World Title on the line.
This event further cements Dubai’s evolving role as a global MMA hub. It’s made possible through PFL’s multi-year partnership with the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Since its official launch in November 2024, the “Road to Dubai” campaign has brought a series of PFL global MMA events to the UAE, positioning the region as a centerpiece for elite combat sports. While the Road to Dubai Finale is scheduled for January, this October event is an additional showcase, designed to build momentum and further engage fans ahead of the finale.
Archie Colgan (12-0) vs. Jay-Jay Wilson (11-1) - Lightweight Main Card Bout
Undefeated standout Archie “King” Colgan brings elite Division I wrestling pedigree, Wyoming’s first-ever champion at 157 pounds, into a spotless record highlighted by wins over Mansour Barnaoui, Emmanuel Sanchez, Thibault Gouti, and Manoel Sousa. Across the cage, New Zealand’s Jay-Jay “The Maori Kid” Wilson, a BJJ black belt with a 9-1 record in Bellator, is fresh off an emphatic finish of Mads Burnell in April. With both men closing in on Lightweight gold, this clash promises high stakes and high drama.
Lewis McGrillen (12-1) vs. Caolan Loughran (10-2) - Bantamweight Main Card Bout
Lewis “The McGrizzla” McGrillen arrives in Dubai on October 3 riding a scorching streak, three consecutive highlight-reel finishes, a 2024 “Fight of the Year” thriller against Dean Garnett, and the PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship around his waist.
With 10 of his 11 victories coming by finish, his knockout power is a difference maker. Opposite him, Caolan “The Don” Loughran enters his PFL debut fresh off a UFC win. The former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion is renowned for his relentless pace, forward pressure, and durability, setting the stage for a clash of European talent.
Magomed Magomedov (21-4) vs. Sergio Pettis (24-7) - Bantamweight Main Card Bout
Russia’s Magomed Magomedov, the first man to defeat former UFC champion Petr Yan, arrives in Dubai as a former ACB bantamweight titleholder with a résumé built on precision grappling and elite finishes.
He has guillotined top contenders like Enrique Barzola and Danny Sabatello, pushed Patchy Mix the full five rounds for Bellator gold, and most recently earned a 2025 PFL victory over Sarvarjon Khamidov. Across from him stands former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion Sergio Pettis, who delivered the 2021 “Knockout of the Year” with a spinning-backfist finish of Kyoji Horiguchi before defending his crown in a masterclass against Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. This matchup has all the makings of a high-level chess match and will likely determine the path for the PFL Bantamweight World Title.
PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai - The Rematch Main Card
Friday, Oct. 3
PFL Lightweight World Title
Main Event: Usman Nurmagomedov (19-0, 1 NC) vs. Paul Hughes (14-2)
PFL Light Heavyweight World Title Co-Main Event: Corey Anderson (19-6) vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1)
Lightweight Main Card Bout: Archie Colgan (12-0) vs. Jay-Jay Wilson (11-1)
Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Lewis McGrillen (12-1) vs. Caolan Loughran (10-2)
Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Magomed Magomedov (21-4) vs. Sergio Pettis (24-7)
Early Card
Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Pouya Rahmani (4-0) vs. Slim Trabelsi (8-0)
165-Pound Catchweight Bout: Zubaira Tukhugov (20-6-1) vs. Artem Lobov (14-15-1)
Welterweight Showcase Bout: Omar El Dafrawy (14-5) vs. Florim Zendeli (10-1-1)
