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Matches to make after PFL NY
Mike PendletonSat, August 1, 2026 at 2:50 AM UTC·3 min readAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFresh off the news of the merger with Most Valuable Promotions, Professional Fighters League continued its "Summer Series" runof events with a surge of momentum.Two of the company's top superstars made their return aslightweight champion UsmanNurmagomedov put his title on the line against undefeatedchallenger ArchieColgan, and DakotaDitcheva denied DeniseKielholtz following a year on the shelf.
Following a brutal and decisive first-round finish over Colgan,there are immediate questions on the future of Nurmagomedov and hisplace in the company, as he just fought out the last fight of hiscontract. Nurmagomedov made it a point to see how the PFL/MVPmerger would lead to a contract offer in terms of pay, and if theykeep him, there's a clear top contender in Shabliy. DefeatingAlfieDavis by unanimous decision last month, Shabliy discussed hisdesire for a title fight and he could get a chance at revenge froma 2024 loss to Nurmagomedov.
Taking on Kielholtz in her first action in over a year, Ditchevadid not have her most outstanding performance, and it was clear shewas shaking off some rust. Ditcheva would control the pace anddistance, grabbing momentum early and never letting it go. Aftergetting the rust off, it's time for the most anticipated women'smatchup in the PFL to take place against last year's tournamentchampion in Carmouche. Getting a recent win over VivianeAraujo, these two women are on a collision course and thereshould be no more time wasted.
Magomedov's performance proved there is another Russian star on thepromotion's roster. Part of the Nurmagomedov team, Magomedov waselectric in his manhandling of AngelAlvarez, chopping down his legs with brutal kicks andeventually getting the TKO finish in the second round. He shouldnow face off against the 2025 PFL Lightweight tournament champion.Davis just suffered a loss to Shabliy back in June, but could getright back into the top of the division if he can stop the momentumof Magomedov. Davis has said that he felt he fought his best in hisloss against Nurmagomedov, who knows Magomedov well, and he couldserve as a great test to see just how quickly he can get himselfback to title contention.
Dayron arguably went through the toughest test of his career and itwas also his closest fight, as he pulled off a razor-thin decisionover RaufeonStots. His opponent was thoroughly shocked at the decision, butit saw Dayron keep his undefeated record intact. Even with the win,Dayron would benefit from another veteran test, and he'd get justthat in Pettis. Recently, Pettis was scheduled to square offagainst LewisMcGrillen-Evans but had to withdraw due to injury, if Pettiscan get healthy sooner than later, he would serve as another greattest for Dayron.
Making his PFL debut on Friday night, Diakhate made the statementthat he was wasting no time in announcing his arrival. Goingthrough an opponent change during fight week, Diakhate squared offagainst DarrylKing Walker and made quick work of him, getting the first-roundTKO then getting praise from Jake Paul asa fighter they want to make a global star. There could be no timewasted by booking Diakhate against Xavier, who is coming off avictory of his own last week in Washington D.C. over TysonPedro. Xavier is currently in the light heavyweight rankings,and would be a quick, tough, test for Diakhate to get fast trackedin a division that needs stars.
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