Image source, PFL

Thanks for joining us for this live text but that's all we have time for tonight.

It wasn't to be for London's Alfie Davis in his pursuit of the PFL lightweight world title.

Another fine performance from Usman Nurmagomedov ensures he stays unbeaten.

Read Paul Battison's full report on tonight's action.

If you're a combat sports fans, boxer Nick Ball defends his WBA world title shortly (around 22:00 GMT) in Liverpool - so join us for that on the boxing page!

It's easy to get wrapped up in the fight some times but there was a lovely moment after when Usman Nurmagomedov handed his PFL lightweight world title to his father.

Image source, PFL

I feel it's worth sending some praise in the direction of referee Kerry Hatley too.

Davis wasn't tapping from that choke hold and might have even been just going unconscious when the fight was called.

Hatley waited just long enough before taking a closer look and breaking the two fighters up.

Image source, PFL

Alfie Davis enjoyed a fine 2025 by winning the PFL lightweight tournament and taking home the $500,000 (£369,000) victory prize.

But 2026 has not started on the same positive note.

Davis looked confident but his performance was just not at the level required to become the new PFL lightweight world champion.

Absolutely no shame in coming up short against Nurmagomedov.

It's the sixth time Davis has lost in his 27-fight career, so he has enough experience in going back to the drawing board and rebuilding to come again.

And some good fights out there for him, who wants to see Davis v Paul Hughes?

Image source, PFL

Usman Nurmagomedov speaking after his victory: "Dubai, the support from you guys, you really gave me good energy. My second home.

"I won how I planned; I made him tired, I made him work, I made him grapple and the win was going to come.

"Thank you for my father, he is here with me. Everything I have in this life is from him."

On his star-studded team: "We support each other so much and we grow together in the gym. This success is not from us, this success is from God."

We can debate the way Usman Nurmagomedov finished that fight but there's little to debate in terms of his ability.

That victory takes Nurmagomedov's overall record to 21 wins from 22 fights - the other was a no-contest.

It's his seventh victory by submission and and 15th by stoppage.

Doing the Eagles MMA gym very proud as he retains the PFL lightweight world title.

That was a really interesting finish from Usman Nurmagomedov.

We're debating in the office whether it was a triangle choke or rear-naked choke.

One for the MMA purists out there.

Help us out! Thumbs up for triangle choke or thumbs down for rear-naked choke and vote below.

Dan Hardy
PFL chief on DAZN

What pressure and strength you need to have to put someone to sleep in that position!

The whole thing was beautiful, it's superb work and very, very impressive.

There was no way out of that for Davis.

As soon as Nurmagomedov got into position you worried for the challenger.

The Russian scrambled so well to get his position, slid his arm under the neck and locked in the triangle choke.

There was no tap from Davis and the referee had to call it.

Image source, PFL

Nurmagomedov slips a hook from Davis and gets his arms wrapped around the Londoner's legs.

Takedown secure.

He's looking for the back.. he doesn't get it but he sinks in a choke nonetheless...it's all over!

Image source, PFL

Nurmagomedov sits in a squat position to try and gain some momentum to burst through the guard but it doesn't work.

Back he goes into Davis guard and delivers some bruising elbows.

The referee has seen enough and stands them up.

Maybe getting back to it so quickly wasn't the best option for Davis as he's taken down.

Davis has Nurmagomedov trapped in his guard and starts landing some big elbows to the head of the champion.

He's making the Russian work for any progression in position.

Image source, PFL

Nurmagomedov stabs a kick towards the torso of Davis but as the Londoner steps back it lands a bit low and on the cup.

There's a brief pause in the action but Davis wants to resume.

Dan Hardy
PFL chief on DAZN

Davis looks like he is trying to frustrate Nurmagomedov and draw him in and Usman is looking a bit reckless.

Alfie is happy to let these rounds go and frustrate Usman, but if he does have something to show, he shouldn't be showing it too soon.

Nurmagomedov lands another couple of kicks to Davis' legs but then gets a little sloppy as he walks forward and eats the Londoner's left hand.

An unorthodox approach to defence from Davis as he jumps up and over a kick before coming back down with a punch.

Image source, PFL

Davis looks really loose, he's dropping his hands low and shaking off his shoulders as he shifts from side-to-side.

He's yet to do anything that would really offer any concern to Nurmagomedov, although he is starting to talk to the Russian in there.

Nurmagomedov looks for another high kick and his standing leg gives way. He quickly gets back to his feet and stays on the attack.

Image source, PFL

Dan Hardy
PFL chief on DAZN

Both of Davis' legs already looked bruised.

It seems like Alfie is trying to wait for the perfect moment, but that is never going to come against someone like Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov looks for the first takedown of the fight and it's stuffed really well by Davis.

Davis is backed up on to the fence as they clinch but Nurmagomedov is patient and gets it down to the canvas with a really well-timed trip.

Not a great deal of action down there. Nurmagomedov lands a couple of glancing blows but it's largely well defended by the Londoner.

Nurmagomedov attempts a spinning high kick but Davis is alert to it once again.

Lots being thrown out by the champion so far and not much coming back the other way.

Southpaw Davis loads up on a big left hand, but it's wide of the mark.

Dan Hardy
PFL chief on DAZN

How will Davis deal with the kicking of Nurmagomedov? His background is in other martial arts, so he may have counters that Usman has not seen before.