Usman Nurmagomedov and Dakota Ditcheva will headline PFL Long Island on 31st July, with the Professional Fighters League banking on two of its biggest stars to reassert itself as a genuine UFC alternative. The event marks a pivotal moment for a promotion navigating a leadership transition while still reeling from the high-profile departure of Francis Ngannou.
Usman Nurmagomedov Faces Dangerous Contender Archie Colgan
The unbeaten PFL lightweight champion — and cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov — consistently ranks among the finest pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. Recent victories over Alfie Davis and Paul Hughes have only reinforced that reputation. Moreover, Nurmagomedov is approaching free agency, meaning this fight carries serious weight beyond just the result.
His opponent, Archie Colgan, is no stepping stone. The surging contender is unbeaten across 13 professional outings, blending elite wrestling credentials with genuine one-punch knockout power. Colgan dismantled Jay-Jay Wilson in October and arrives with serious momentum. This is the kind of stylistic puzzle that could test even the sharpest defensive fighters — and it is a genuinely fascinating matchup.
Dakota Ditcheva Defends Her Status as PFL’s Top Female Star
Meanwhile, the co-main event belongs to Dakota Ditcheva, who cemented herself as the PFL’s premier female attraction by defeating former UFC title challenger Taila Santos to claim the 2025 PFL flyweight title. She is must-watch television, and the PFL knows it.
Standing across from her will be Denise Kielholtz, a former Bellator title challenger who returns to competition on the back of a three-fight winning streak. Her most recent outing — a win over Antonia Silvaneide in February — demonstrated she still belongs at the highest level. Consequently, this co-headliner shapes up as one of the more technically compelling women’s bouts of the summer.
The full card for PFL Long Island is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks. For more on rising female MMA talent, check out our piece on Allycia Hellen Rodrigues returning for the biggest fight of her career.
One thing is certain — on 31st July, Long Island is going to bring the heat. Who do you fancy in the main event? Drop your prediction in the comments below.