Imagine waking up after being choked out in a fight, only to find yourself face-to-face with MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. That’s exactly what happened to PFL’s Alfie Davis, and the story doesn’t end there. But here’s where it gets controversial: UFC champ Islam Makhachev had something to say about it—and it’s not what you’d expect. Let’s dive in.
For context, Jesse Holland, a seasoned combat sports journalist with nearly two decades of experience covering MMA, wrestling, and boxing, brings us this intriguing tale. Holland, whose work can be found on MMA Mania (https://www.mmamania.com/authors/jesse-holland-mma-writer-journalist), has a knack for uncovering the stories behind the fights, and this one is no exception.
Alfie Davis, like many fighters who’ve experienced a submission-induced blackout, woke up in a state of confusion. But what made this moment truly surreal was the sight of Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former UFC lightweight champion, standing right in front of him. Khabib, alongside current UFC welterweight titleholder Islam Makhachev, was in Dubai to corner Usman Nurmagomedov, adding an extra layer of star power to the scene.
Davis recounted the moment to Red Corner MMA (https://x.com/RedCorner_MMA/status/2020271309016760761), explaining, ‘I heard my corner say, “30 seconds left,” and I thought, “I’ve got this under control.” But then everything went dark. When I came to, Khabib was right there. It’s a strange feeling—like your brain is buzzing but your body is frozen.’
And this is the part most people miss: Despite the intensity of the moment, there was a surprising lightness in the air. Davis continued, ‘I woke up disoriented, thinking, “Where am I?” Then it hit me—I was right back in the fight. It’s a tough break, but that’s the game.’ What stood out, though, was the respect shown by Makhachev and his team. Makhachev, in particular, had a witty remark that caught Davis off guard. ‘He looked at me and said, “Hey brother, now it’s 1-1.” It was such a funny, humble moment,’ Davis recalled.
Usman Nurmagomedov, just 27 years old, improved his record to 20-0 (1 NC) with the victory over Davis. He’s now widely regarded as the best lightweight outside the UFC. But how long that title holds depends heavily on the future of the PFL, which is currently shrouded in uncertainty. Recent high-profile changes at the executive level (https://www.mmamania.com/professional-fighters-league-pfl/413429/pfl-issues-statement-leadership-change-departure-former-ceo) have left fans and fighters alike wondering what’s next. For more updates on the PFL’s evolving landscape, click here (https://www.mmamania.com/professional-fighters-league-pfl).
Here’s the controversial question: Is the PFL’s instability a sign of trouble, or an opportunity for reinvention? And does Usman Nurmagomedov’s dominance outside the UFC challenge the notion that the best fighters are only in the UFC? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a debate worth having.
