PFL expects Long Island return after successful UBS Arena debut

The Professional Fighters League made a successful debut at UBS Arena Friday night — and its CEO says the promotion plans to return to Long Island.

“The crowd was great,” PFL CEO John Martin told Greater Long Island after the card ended. “The crowd is very knowledgeable, very impatient when they didn’t see the pace pick up. Tonight was a good night for us.”

The nine-fight card marked the PFL’s first event at UBS Arena and its first on Long Island since a 2019 show at Nassau Coliseum.

For Martin, a Deer Park native who grew up an Islanders fan, bringing the promotion to the Islanders’ home arena carried added meaning.

“This is one of the nicest arenas I’ve ever been in,” said John Martin. “We’ll be back here.”

The night was headlined by lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, who knocked out previously unbeaten challenger Archie Colgan with punches 3:42 into the opening round to retain his title.

In the co-main event, Dakota Ditcheva remained unbeaten with a unanimous decision victory over Denise Kielholtz. All three judges scored the fight 30-27.

Amru Magomedov stopped Angel Alvarez in the second round, while Moustapha Diakhate earned a first-round TKO over Darryl Walker.

Lazaro Dayron, Sean Gauci, Omar El Dafrawy, Tatiana Postarnakova and Levan Khabalaev also picked up victories on the preliminary card.

The event also came during a major week for the promotion.

News broke ahead of the card that the PFL plans to merge with Most Valuable Promotions, the boxing and mixed martial arts company co-founded by influencer and boxer Jake Paul.

Paul was in attendance Friday night at UBS Arena. Martin said he expects the merger to be completed within the next four months.

While the merger could reshape the future of the promotion, Martin made clear that Long Island remains part of its plans. “I’d love to come back,” he said.

Photos

All photos by Nick Esposito