A New Era for PFL: Exciting Matchups and Championship Dreams
As the Professional Fighters League (PFL) gears up for its 2025 season, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The action kicks off on April 3 at Universal Studios in Orlando, and this year promises to be a thrilling ride with a fresh format and a roster packed with talent. The PFL is rolling out eight bracket-style tournaments, each featuring eight fights divided by weight class. These will be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+, ensuring fans won’t miss a moment of the action. The welterweight and featherweight divisions will be the first to take the stage, headlined by former Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson and former PFL featherweight champion Jesus Pinedo.
With so many exciting matchups on the horizon, ESPN has highlighted the four most enticing first-round battles and four potential championship clashes that could set the cage on fire.
Best First Round Matchups
Welterweight: Jason Jackson vs. Andrey Koreshkov, April 3
In a clash of former Bellator champions, Jason Jackson and Andrey Koreshkov are set to face off in what promises to be a high-stakes battle. Jackson is eager to bounce back from his recent Bellator title fight loss to Ramazan Kuramagomedov at Bellator Champions Series Dublin last June. Meanwhile, Koreshkov is likely on his last run of a very successful MMA career. This fight is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with Koreshkov’s elite striking and knockout power going up against Jackson’s relentless pace and formidable wrestling skills.
Featherweight: Adam Borics vs. Jesus Pinedo, April 3
Jesus Pinedo returns to the cage for the first time since clinching the 2023 PFL featherweight title. After a rocky start in 2023, losing to Gabriel Braga, Pinedo made a stunning comeback with knockout victories over Brendan Loughnane, Bubba Jenkins, and Braga to claim the championship. Both Pinedo and Borics are known for their striking prowess and knockout potential, making this matchup a strong contender for fight of the night.
Lightweight: Marc Diakiese vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov, April 18
Gadzhi Rabadanov, the reigning PFL lightweight champion, is on a mission to defend his title. However, Marc Diakiese presents a formidable challenge in this first-round matchup. Rabadanov is renowned for his wrestling prowess, but he has also demonstrated striking capabilities. Diakiese, with his edge in striking and improved wrestling, could make this fight much closer than the oddsmakers might predict.
Light Heavyweight: Phil Davis vs. Rob Wilkinson, May 1
Rob Wilkinson, the 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion, is eager to rebound after his semifinal loss to Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov last season. Standing in his way is Phil Davis, a seasoned veteran and standout wrestler. This could be Davis’ last chance to prove himself among the best at 205 pounds. He will need to rely on his world-class wrestling to avoid the devastating knockout power of Wilkinson.
Potential Championship Matchups
The winners of the first-round matches will advance to the semifinal rounds in June, with the finals set for August. If the stars align, these are the championship matchups we’d love to see:
- Middleweight: Impa Kasanganay vs. Aaron Jeffery
- Lightweight: Alexander Shabliy vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov
- Welterweight: Jason Jackson vs. Magomed Umalatov
- Featherweight: Jesus Pinedo vs. Movlid Khaybulaev
Each of these potential matchups offers a unique blend of styles and skills, promising to deliver unforgettable moments in the cage. Whether it’s the knockout power of Kasanganay and Jeffery, the well-rounded skillset of Shabliy and Rabadanov, the wrestling prowess of Jackson and Umalatov, or the contrasting styles of Pinedo and Khaybulaev, these fights have the potential to be instant classics.
Originally Written by: Ian Parker
