MMASucka Staff Picks PFL Champions Series 3: Lightweight Stalwarts Throw Down

Putting on one of the best fights of the year in their first encounter in the Middle East, Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes run it back for a second at the PFL Champions Series 3. Before that, though, reigning light heavyweight champion Corey Anderson defends his strap against previous company tournament winner Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov. 

Main Event

Over the course of his run in Bellator, and now PFL, Nurmagomedov has looked almost unstoppable, logging three retentions of his former Bellator lightweight belt. It wasn’t until he faced off with Hughes this past January that the dominant Dagestani truly felt adversity for the first time, winning the fight after a tight split decision. Now preparing to end his rivalry with the Irishman once and for all, the inaugural PFL 155-lb king sets out to defend his new title for the first time with another magnificent performance.

Pushing Nurmagomedov to his limits in their initial tilt at PFL Champions Series 1, Hughes proved himself a legitimate championship threat by testing the Russian both on the feet and in the grappling department. While scorecards didn’t play out in his favor, “Big News” rebounded in a big way by knocking out Bruno Miranda in 42 seconds in May, immediately calling out Nurmagomedov, setting the stage for a rematch for the ages.

Co-Main Event

Following a brief return to the heavyweight division to take on Denis Goltsov this past summer, Anderson makes his way back to 205-lb to defend his promotional gold for the first time since claiming it back in 2024. A veteran of both Bellator and the UFC, “Overtime” is looking to cement his place as one of the top light heavyweights on the planet in his first official outing as champion. 

Turning heads after his run in the PFL last year, Yagshimuradov utterly laid waste to both Rob Wilkinson and Impa Kasanganay, stopping the latter in the first round. Now stalking even bigger prey, “Wolfhound” puts his seven-fight win streak on the line when he comes to blows in his bid to hoist his first major world championship above his head. 

More Bouts On the Main Card

Also on the main card, Dagestani stalwart Magomed Magomedov grapples with one-time Bellator title-holder Sergio Pettis. Then, the undefeated Archie Colgan locks horns with Jay Jay Wilson. Finally, it’s a scrap between former Cage Warriors champions, with Jack Cartwright squaring up with Caolán Loughran.    

PFL Champions Series 3 Predictions and Staff Picks

MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).

UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.

The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. 

Find our PFL Europe 3 (2025) picks and fight odds below. 

Staff records after DWCS 84: 

Hank Strandberg: 163-93
Drew Zuhosky: 125-131
Frazer Krohn: 124-80
Jeremy Brand: 123-88
Andrew Benjamin: 32-90

                                     *Note – not all staff pick for every event*

Caolan Loughran -420

Vs.

Jack Cartwright +320

         CATCHWEIGHT 160-lb

Jeremy Brand: Hank Strandberg: Loughran by Unanimous Decision                                                  Drew Zuhosky: Cartwright by First Round Knockout                                                   Frazer Krohn: Loughran by Unanimous Decision    

Staff picking Loughran: 2

Staff picking Cartwright: 1

Archie Colgan -350

     Vs.

Jay Jay Wilson +285

     LIGHTWEIGHT

Jeremy Brand: Hank Strandberg: Colgan by Unanimous Decision Drew Zuhosky: Wilson by Unanimous Decision                        

Frazer Krohn: Colgan by Unanimous DecisionAndrew Benjamin:   

Staff picking Colgan: 2

Staff picking Wilson: 1

Magomed Magomedov -255

Vs.

Sergio Pettis +215

        BANTAMWEIGHT

Jeremy Brand: Hank Strandberg: Magomedov by Unanimous Decision                                                   Drew Zuhosky: Pettis by Third Round Knockout                                                Frazer Krohn: Magomedov by Second Round Submission    

Staff picking Magomedov: 2

Staff picking Pettis: 1

Corey Anderson -185

Vs.

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov +155

   LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

Jeremy Brand: Hank Strandberg: Anderson by Unanimous Decision                                                    Drew Zuhosky: Anderson by Unanimous Decision                                                  Frazer Krohn: Anderson by Third Round Submission     

Staff picking Anderson: 3

Staff picking Yagshimuradov: 0

 Usman Nurmagomedov -225

Vs.

Paul Hughes +190

         LIGHTWEIGHT

Jeremy Brand: Hank Strandberg: Hughes by Unanimous Decision                                                 Drew Zuhosky: Nurmagomedov by Unanimous Decision                                                 Frazer Krohn: Hughes by Split Decision    

Staff picking Nurmagomedov: 1 

Staff picking Hughes:  2