McKee (25-2), once a Bellator featherweight champ, faced off against the previously undefeated Salamat Isbulaev, and battled through three hard-fought rounds to come away with a unanimous decision victory.

It was far from easy. A competitive scrap saw the pair both have their moments on the feet, while McKee appeared to have the advantage in several thrilling grappling exchanges. The American was sporting a cut over one eyebrow in the end, though Isbulaev was cut as well. Luckily, neither wound had any direct impact on the action, with the bout going the full 15 minutes.

Triplicate 30-27 scores outlined just how successful AJ McKee was in the bout, though Isbulaev was never fully out of it. Afterwards, McKee admitted that he had “underestimated” his opponent, referring to him as a champion.

It’s reclaiming gold that is on McKee’s mind next however, and he called for just that following the win. The PFL’s 145lb title sits vacant, and only Timur Khizriev, #1 at featherweight, sits ahead of AJ McKee.

The 31-year old was joined in the winner’s circle on Saturday by a familiar face to fight fans. Liz Carmouche also made her case for a title shot undeniable at PFL San Diego, though that’s not what the #2-ranked women’s flyweight called for at the end of the night.

Carmouche (26-8), a former Bellator flyweight champ, as well as a title challenger in both Strikeforce and the UFC, won the 2025 PFL World Tournament, and found herself paired up with fellow UFC vet Viviane Araujo at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA. The bout saw Araujo and Carmouche spend plenty of time clinched up along the fence, but in the second round, it was “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche hitting a guillotine choke and forcing the tap.

At age 42, Carmouche has looked as good as ever, with just PFL promotional darling Dakota Ditcheva perched ahead of her in the rankings. The British star skipped the World Tournament last year, and has been out with injury; she’s set to return against Denise Kielholtz later this summer.

Should she win, Ditcheva vs. Carmouche for the vacant women’s 125lb title seems like a no-brainer. Yet in the cage on Saturday, Carmouche called for something she’s desired for a long time: a shot at a second title, at bantamweight. Neither Bellator nor the PFL have featured a women’s bantamweight division, and Carmouche very much wants to lead one.

The post Liz Carmouche, AJ McKee Stake Title Claims at PFL San Diego appeared first on Cageside Press.

The winner of the bout should be lined up for a championship engagement, given the league’s 145lb title sits vacant. The San Diego card, meanwhile, is the first of six big shows in eight weeks for the PFL, which will make stops in Austin, TX, Washington, DC, and New York coming up.

In the night’s co-headliner on Saturday, former UFC title challenger and Bellator MMA women’s flyweight champion Liz Carmouche was in action, taking on Viviane Araujo. Carmouche, who fought for a Strikeforce title early in her career, had won the PFL World Tournament in 2025; Araujo was looking to build off a win over Shanna Young in her promotional debut just a few months back.

Where to Watch PFL San Diego

PFL San Diego takes place on Saturday, June 27 at the Pechanga Arena San Diego in San Diego, CA. The card airs live on the ESPN App and ESPN2 (main card only) in the U.S. Full results can be found below. The action kicks off at 8PM ET, 5PM PT.

PFL San Diego: McKee vs. Isbulaev Results

Main Card

AJ McKee def. Salamat Isbulaev by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Liz Carmouche def. Viviane Araújo by submission (guillotine choke), Round 2, 2:07
Alexander Shabliy def. Alfie Davis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Rob Wilkinson def. Abraham Bably by TKO, Round 2, 3:23

Preliminary Card

Khasan Magomedshairpov def. Josh Weems by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 1, 2:10
Jena Bishop def. Ariane Lipski da Silva by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 4:08
Sarvarjon Khamidov def. Justin Wetzell by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:11
Shannon Clark def. Ilara Joanne by TKO, Round 3, 1:43
Cobey Fehr def. Daniel Bzdigian by submission (Anaconda choke), Round 1, 2:00

The post PFL San Diego: McKee vs. Isbulaev Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

PFL Africa: Nigeria featured the opening round of this year’s PFL Africa tournament, with lightweights and bantamweights taking center stage.

In a featherweight main event, meanwhile, Nigeria’s own Wasi “The Nigerian Jaguar” Adeshina faced off against Spain’s Ignacio Nacho Campos.

Where to Watch PFL Africa: Nigeria

Saturday, June 13, 2026 sees PFL Africa: Nigeria take place at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos, Nigeria. The action gets underway at 1PM ET, 10AM PT. Full results can be found below. 

PFL Africa: Nigeria Full Results

Ignacio Campos def. Wasi Adeshina by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 1:45
Patrick Ocheme def. Octave Ayinda by knockout, Round 1, 3:17 – Lightweight Tournament First Round
Karim Henniene def. Thimna Mhlauli by submission (anaconda choke), Round 1, 2:23 – Bantamweight Tournament First Round
Cornel Thompson def. Aureo Cruz by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – Lightweight Tournament First Round
Jordan Fongno def. Yahaya Yahuza by TKO (strikes), Round 2, 3:39
Raphael Uchegbu def. Edson Machavane by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – Bantamweight Tournament First Round
Elisandra Ferreira def. Juliet Ukah by submission (arm-bar), Round 2, 1:39
Hussain Al Kurdi def. Abderrahman Errachidy by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 1:23 – Lightweight Tournament First Round
Dwight Joseph def. Alain Majorique by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28) – Bantamweight Tournament First Round
Demba Seck def. Jean Do Santos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – Lightweight Tournament First Round
Boule Godogo def. Dauda Rajabu by TKO (strikes), Round 3, 2:42 – Bantamweight Tournament First Round
Styve Ngono def. Richard Muzaan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Shelda Chipito def. Haidy Ahmed by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:49

The post PFL Africa: Nigeria Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

42-years old, three years removed from his last fight after retiring. Yet for some inexplicable reason, “Smooth” chose to return to action for the Professional Fighters League in a main event pairing with the unbeaten young up-and-comer Patrick Habirora.

The welterweight fight played out very much like a Henderson fan’s worst nightmare. After trading a pair of strikes— Habirora a right hand, Henderson a kick— a left from Habirora connected out of nowhere, and Benson Henderson hit the dirt. With “Bendo” face down, Belgium’s own Habirora jumped on, adding a couple of strikes in a fight that felt like Henderson had been run over by a speeding truck.

It lasted all of 20 seconds. Ultimately, it felt very much like what it was: an unnecessary main event, another example of MMA feeding its veterans to its young.

In Henderson’s case, that story has already been played out, after he wrapped up his career with a title fight loss to Usman Nurmagomedov in Bellator. At least in that instance, Henderson had picked up a couple of wins, and was in the promotion’s lightweight grand prix. Three years later, all that was learned was something most fight fans already know: father time is undefeated in the end.

Patrick Habirora, improving to 9-0 with the victory at the ING Arena, was all class afterwards, using his platform to send a positive message. “This is a sport. Benson and I maybe later on tonight will be sharing a drink together. We are not adversaries in this world full of wars and conflict. We need to use this to say, you must respect your others, you must respect everyone.”

He went on to call out Mike Perry, who recently picked up a win over Nate Diaz at the inaugural MVP MMA event last weekend. “I heard there was talk about Mike Perry. Hey, Mike Perry, if you’re coming to PFL, let’s go!”

Whether Perry, also under contract with BKFC, would be interested in signing with the PFL remains to be seen — but his stock is likely the highest it has been in years.

Official Result: Patrick Habirora def. Benson Henderson by KO, Round 1, 0:20

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The night’s main event found a hometown favorite in the unbeaten Patrick Habirora taking on a UFC and WEC great, Benson Henderson. A former champ in both promotions as well as a contender/title challenger in Bellator MMA, “Smooth” was returning from retirement for the fight, competing for the first time since March 2023, when he lost to Usman Nurmagomedov in a title fight that was part of the Bellator lightweight grand prix.

Henderson isn’t expected to become a contender at age 42, but Saturday did mark the opportunity to get back in the win column rather than retiring off a loss. For Habirora, meanwhile, it was a big step up in competition and name value.

Kickboxing Joe Schilling also returned to action on the PFL Brussels card, having last fought in MMA in 2019. He was moving to light heavyweight to take on Donegi Abena. A pair of UFC veterans served as the night’s co-main event with Taylor Lapilus facing Jake Hadley.

Where to Watch PFL Brussels

Saturday, May 23, 2026 sees the Professional Fighters League at the ING Arena in Brussels, Belgium for PFL Brussels: Habirora vs. Henderson. In the U.S. the card streams on the ESPN App. Full results can be found below.

PFL Belgium: Habirora vs. Henderson Results

Main Card

Patrick Habirora def. Benson Henderson by KO, Round 1, 0:20
Taylor Lapilus def. Jake Hadley by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Boris Atangana def. Jared Gooden by KO, Round 1, 1:05
Naoki Inoue def. Marcirley Alves by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Asaël Adjoudj def. Keisuke Sasu by KO, Round 2, 2:22

Preliminary Card

Gustavo Oliveira def. Baris Adiguzel by submission (guillotine choke), Round 2, 1:10
Donegi Abena def. Joe Schilling by TKO (retirement), Round 1, 0:37
Movsar Ibragimov def. Shane Campbell by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:28
Khamzat Abaev def. Luca Poclit by KO, Round 1, 2:56
Adam Meskini def. Keweny Lopes by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ashley Reece def. Rustam Serbiev by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

The post PFL Brussels: Habirora vs. Henderson Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Facing the #3-ranked Storley was the #6-ranked fighter in the division, Florim Zendeli. An Albanian fighting out of Germany, Zendeli was a perfect 4-0 with the promotion and had won the 2024 PFL Europe championship. Storley, meanwhile, went to the final of last year’s welterweight World Tournament, falling short to Thad Jean in the end.

Where to Watch PFL Sioux Falls

Saturday, May 2, 2026 finds the Professional Fighters League at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for PFL Sioux Falls: Storley vs. Zendeli. The main card airs live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes in the US starting at 10PM ET, 7PM PT following prelims on the ESPN App. Full results can be found below.

PFL Sioux Falls: Storley vs. Zendeli Weigh-In Results

Main Card

Welterweight: Logan Storley def. Florim Zendeli by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25)
160-Pound Catchweight: Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Alex Chizov by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Light Heavyweight: Simeon Powell def. Emiliano Sordi by TKO, Round 3, 3:05
Heavyweight: Sergei Bilosteeniy def. Renan Ferreira by TKO, Round 3, 1:56
137-Pound Catchweight: Magomed Magomedov def. Leandro Higo by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight: Rasul Magomedov def. Rafael Xavier by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
134-Pound Women’s Catchweight: Sabrinna de Sousa def. Cheyanne Bowers by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Featherweight: Sang Won Kim def. Humberto Bandenay by TKO, Round 2, 2:56
Women’s Flyweight: Taila Santos def. Qihui Yan by TKO, Round 1, 2:02
Lightweight: Angel Alvarez def. Bryce Logan by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight: Brett Bye def. Taylor Michels by TKO, Round 1, 3:40
Heavyweight: Maxwell Djantou Nana def. Karl Williams by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

The post PFL Sioux Falls: Storley vs. Zendeli Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Alongside Kelly vs. Wilson on Thursday’s card, a handful of notable names including Rhys McKee in the co-main event, and Tyson Pedro. Pedro, fighting Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov, competes for the first time since March of 2024, at the end of his UFC stint, after which he retired. That retirement ends Thursday.

Where to Watch PFL Belfast

PFL Belfast takes place on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The card airs live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes (prelims are available via the ESPN App). Full results from the event can be found below, starting at 3PM ET, 12PM PT.

PFL Belfast: Kelly vs. Wilson Results

Main Card

Lightweight: Jay Jay Wilson def. Darragh Kelly by knockout, Round 1, 0:37
176lb Catchweight: Rhys McKee def. Alex Lohore def. Tyson Pedro by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Light Heavyweight: Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov def. Tyson Pedro by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Card

Welterweight: Eoin Sheridan def. Chris Mixan by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Featherweight: Caolan Loughran def. Alan Philpott by submission (face crank), Round 1, 1:11
Welterweight: Omran Chaaban def. Chequina Noso Pedro by TKO, Round 2, 4:16
Bantamweight: Dean Garnett def. Ciaran Clarke by KO, Round 1, 1:52
166lb Catchweight: Pedro Carvalho def. Sergio Cossio by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
176lb Catchweight: David Martinez def. Giannis Bachar by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 0:53
Bantamweight: Sean Gauci def. Liam Gittins by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Bantamweight: Eoghan Masoliver def. Shane Mullen by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 1:55
Women’s flyweight: Chelsea Hackett def. Andrea Vazquez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

The post PFL Belfast: Kelly vs. Wilson Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

The undefeated McKee, a former LFA champ, did not get the memo. The Kill Cliff FC fighter started strong, relying on his wrestling to get Pettis down in the opening round, eventually getting to the back and raining down ground n’ pound.

Wrestling was the story again in round two, and while Pettis showed plenty of skill and dexterity of his back, he simply couldn’t find a way to get his offense going in more than fits and starts. In the third, it was McKee all over Pettis, getting him belly down, flattening him out, and dropping lefts and rights as Pettis covered up. Pettis was able to survive the round, but lost the war overall, or the fight anyhow. The #1-ranked bantamweight fell to the unranked newcomer by unanimous decision.

A similar fate met #2-ranked Raufeon Stots in the PFL Chicago main event. Paired up with the unbeaten Renat Khavalov, a prodigy of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Stots had a rough night at the office. Like Pettis, he went the distance, like Pettis, he dropped a unanimous decision.

The wins, and who earned them, puts the PFL’s bantamweight division in an interesting spot. Marcirley Alves, who won the PFL bantamweight World Tournament last year, is soon to take on Naoki Inoue in a crossover fight with RIZIN. The PFL has no sitting bantamweight champ, with the title vacant, and any of McKee, Khavalov, and perhaps the winner of Alves vs. Inoue could be in play.

The post PFL Chicago Sees Undefeated McKee, Khavalov Score Big Wins Over Pettis, Stots appeared first on Cageside Press.

In the main event, #1-ranked bantamweight Sergio Pettis welcomed promotional newcomer Mitch McKee to the promotion. A former LFA champ, the unbeaten McKee was getting a massive test right out of the gate.

Earlier in the night, Raufeon Stots found himself in another big bantamweight fight, against undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov pupil Renat Khavalov. With Stots ranked #2, the winners of these fights might find themselves in a title shot in the near future. The belt remains vacant, while World Tournament winner Marcirley Alves will be going over to RIZIN to face Naoki Inoue soon.

UFC veterans including Ariane Araujo, Shanna Young, Alexandr Romanov, and Rodrigo Nascimento were all in action as well.

Where to Watch PFL Chicago

PFL Chicago takes place on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. The card airs live on ESPN2 and the ESPN App. Full results can be found below. Prelims kick off at 6PM ET, 3PM PT.

PFL Chicago: Pettis vs. McKee Results

Main Card

Mitch McKee def. Sergio Pettis by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Renat Khavalov def. Raufeon Stots by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Viviane Araujo def. Shanna Young by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Gabriel Braga def. Cheyden Leialoha by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Card

Jena Bishop def. Borena Tsertsvadze by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:21
Omar El Dafrawy def. James Vake by KO (punch), Round 1, 1:12
Paulina Wisniewska def. Kana Watanabe by TKO (ground n’ pound), Round 2, 3:15
Alexandr Romanov def. Rodrigo Nascimento by submission (guillotine choke), Round 2, 3:10
Biaggio Ali Walsh def. Dash Harris by TKO, Round 1, 0:46
Valanti Atsas def. Nate Jennerman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

The post PFL Chicago: Pettis vs. McKee Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

One of those comes under the PFL Africa banner, once chaired by the recently departed Francis Ngannou. The season was set to launch on Friday, with bantamweights Nkosi “King” Ndebele and Michele “The Arrow” Clemente of Italy headlining the card.

Four opening round bouts of the PFL Africa welterweight tournament also adorned the card.

Where to Watch PFL Africa

Friday, April 10, 2025 sees the Professional Fighters League head to the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, for PFL Africa: Pretoria. The card streams live on SuperSport and Canal+ in Africa, and on the PFL App in the U.S. Full results from the event can be found below. The action gets underway at 12PM ET, 9AM PT. 

PFL Africa: Pretoria Results

Bantamweight: Nkosi Ndebele def. Michele Clemente by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Heavyweight: Justin Clarke def. Abdoulaye Kane by TKO (Punches), Round 1, 2:12
Welterweight: Peace Nguphane def. Yabna N’Tchala by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) — welterweight tournament opening round
Welterweight: Shido Boris Esperança def. Emilios Dassi by TKO (Elbows and Punches), Round 1, 3:17 — welterweight tournament opening round
Welterweight: Rivaldo Pereira def. Kunle Lawal by TKO (body shot and elbows), Round 1, 2:09 — welterweight tournament opening round
Women’s Catchweight (118lbs): Juliet Ukah def. Jane Osigwe by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
Welterweight: David Samuel def. Abdelrahman Mohammad by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:03 — welterweight tournament opening round
Lightweight: Abdoul Razac Sankara vs. Áureo Cruz ends in a No Contest (Accidental Eye Poke), Round 2, 0:18
Featherweight: Shadrack Dju Yemba def. Jean-Jacques Lubaya by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Bantamweight: Asiashu Tshitamba def. Shannon van Tonder by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Women’s Catchweight (117lbs): Felista-Mutheu Mugo def. Annet Kiiza by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

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