Earlier this year, Ramazan Kuramagomedov had claimed welterweight gold against Shamil Musaev, but after Kuramagomedov retired immediately after the fight, Musaev was granted a second shot at gold. That was to have come against Jean at PFL Washington on Saturday, but complications with Musaev’s weight cut took him out of the right.

As a result, Ernesto Rodriguez stepped into the title fight on short notice, despite having just a single fight under the PFL banner. Timing is everything in MMA, and Rodriguez had a chance to show that on Saturday.

Light heavyweights Tyson Pedro and Rafael Xavier served as the night’s co-headliner.

Where to Watch PFL Washington

Saturday, July 25, 2026 found the Professional Fighters League setting up shop at the CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C. The card airs live on ESPN and the ESPN App, with prelims starting at 8PM ET, 5PM ET and the main card expected to kick off at 10ET/7PT. Full results from the event can be found below.

PFL Washington: Jean vs. Rodriguez Results

Main Card

Thad Jean def. Ernesto Rodriguez by TKO, Round 3, 2:44 – for the vacant PFL welterweight championship
Rafael Xavier def. Tyson Pedro by TKO, Round 1, 4:59
Rasul Magomedov def. Sullivan Cauley by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Eliezer Kubanza def. Chris Mixan by submission (D’arce choke), Round 2, 2:34

Preliminary Card

Bryce Meredith def. Michael Cyr by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Nkosi Ndebele def. Brandon Davis by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Coby Bradford def. Chad Yard by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 1:57
Noah Hermosillo def. Jacob Pais by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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Either way, Johnny Eblen and Impa Kasanganay met at the Moody Center in a pivotal main event, the winner assured a shot at Costello van Steenis, the champ who had been forced off the card and out of his own rematch with Eblen.

Like Eblen and CVS, “Pressure” and Kasanganay had met once before, at the PFL vs. Bellator card a couple of years back. Eblen had come away with a decision win that night; he was looking for a more definitive outcome on Saturday.

The opening round of Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2 was a spirited one, both men landing, both men forcing the other back at times. A round that played out pretty much entirely on the feet, with both middleweights throwing hard. What might have been an even round, however, took a dramatic shift when Eblen knocked down his opponent in the dying seconds of the round.

Suddenly, the cadence of the fight had taken a significant shift up.

Round two opened with Kasanganay seemingly wanting to punch his way back into the fight, taking it to Eblen only for the former Bellator champ to give right back. American Top Team’s Eblen, known as he was for his wrestling prowess, appeared ready and willing to stand and bang with Kasanganay, a former PFL Global tournament winner who had pocketed the million dollars in prize money a few years back.

Kasanganay landed a couple of right hands about 90 seconds into the second frame that forced Eblen to clinch up. No question, Eblen wasn’t loving the damage he had taken from those. He fired a short elbow before the pair broke.

Later in the frame, Eblen would work the body in a clinch.

Things took another dramatic shift in the third round. More accurately, they came to a crashing halt. After more back-and-forth early, Eblen fired a knee, then popped off an elbow and a couple of punches. It was the elbow that dropped Impa Kasanganay really, with all but one final hammerfist glancing or missing. Either way, Impa was out, and Eblen had the win, celebrating while champ van Steenis sat cageside, belt draped over his shoulder.

They’d face off in the cage shortly after the smoke had cleared from the PFL Austin main event, setting the stage for their rematch to finally take place hopefully later in the year.

Official Result: Johnny Eblen def. Impa Kasanganay by knockout, Round 3, 2:39

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The pair had first met at the PFL vs. Bellator crossover card a couple of years back, where Eblen saw his hand raised in a close decision. Originally booked into a rematch with Costello van Steenis in Austin, an injury to the champ saw the PFL instead place an interim title on the line in Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2.

Biaggio Ali Walsh, grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, UFC vets Caolan Loughran and Julio Arce, and PFL standout Jesus Pinedo were also in action in Austin.

Where to Watch PFL Austin

The PFL set up shop at the Moody Center in Austin, TX on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The card airs live on ESPN 2 and the ESPN App in the U.S. starting at 5:30PM ET, 2:30PM PT (prelims). Full results can be found below.

PFL Austin: Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2 Results

Main Card

Johnny Eblen def. Impa Kasanganay by knockout, Round 3, 2:39 – for the vacant PFL interim middleweight championship
Rafael do Nascimento def. Lewis McGrillen by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 2:07
Julio Arce def. Caolan Loughran by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Jesus Pinedo def. Joey Ruquet by TKO, Round 1, 4:50

Preliminary Card

Gamid Khizriev def. Biaggio Ali Walsh by submission (twister), Round 1, 2:32
Aleksandra Savicheva def. Andrea Vazquez by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ashley Thiner def. Mia Grawe by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jackson Glass def. Zak Flessas by TKO, Round 1, 0:47
Victoria Alba def. Borena Tsertsvadze by TKO, Round 3, 4:50

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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)

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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)

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