PFL 2025: Finals featuring Rabadanov, Carmouche, and Alves for the title

PFL: Three Champions Will Be Crowned in Charlotte

The PFL presents an explosive fight card this Friday, where three champions for 2025 will be defined in Charlotte, North Carolina. The main event, which will be broadcast at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, promises strong emotions with the participation of defending champions and outstanding figures from other MMA organizations. In the main event, the 2024 lightweight champion, Gadzhi Rabadanov, will face Alfie Davis. In addition, the women’s flyweight titles and the men’s bantamweight championship will be contested. Liz Carmouche, former Bellator MMA champion, will seek the flyweight title against Jena Bishop. In the bantamweight category, Marcirley Alves and Justin Wetzell, both alternates in the tournament, will compete for the championship. The remaining finals in middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight will take place on August 21st. It is worth noting that champions in welterweight and featherweight were already crowned on August 1st.

Analysis of the 2025 PFL Finals

Here’s a detailed analysis of the championship fights:

Lightweight: Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Alfie Davis

Alfie Davis and Gadzhi Rabadanov will face each other in the PFL 2025 lightweight final.Rabadanov’s trajectory: KO in the first round against Marc Diakiese (April 18); TKO in the first round against Kevin Lee in the semifinal in June.Davis’s Track Record: TKO in the first round against Clay Collard (April 18); unanimous decision victory against Brent Primus in the June semifinal.A key fact: 3:09. That’s the total time Rabadanov has been in the octagon in his two fights of 2025.

“I’m going to put my knee on his nose and then I’m going to kick him in the face.” – Alfie Davis
Alfie Davis

“When was the last time he knocked someone out with a knee? What is he talking about? It’s crazy. I’m going to destroy him.” – Gadzhi Rabadanov
Gadzhi Rabadanov

Factor X: Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team. Rabadanov trains in a gym run by Nurmagomedov in Dagestan, Russia, which is home to great competitors.

What to expect: Rabadanov, the only defending champion, is known for his discipline and versatility. Davis, on the other hand, is unpredictable and uses spinning attacks. If Davis manages to extend the fight, who will be the most effective fighter?

Women’s Flyweight: Liz Carmouche vs. Jena Bishop

Carmouche’s trajectory: TKO in the first round against Ilara Joanne (April 11); unanimous decision victory against Elora Dana in the June semi-final.Bishop’s Track Record: Unanimous decision victory against Kana Watanabe (April 11); submission in the second round against Ekaterina Shakalova in the June semi-final.A key fact: 80. The sum of the ages of Carmouche (41) and Bishop (39). Carmouche has 16 years of professional experience, while Bishop dedicated herself to MMA less than five years ago, after being a black belt and world champion in jiu-jitsu.

“There’s always a stupid part of me that decides I have to try to beat someone at their best [discipline] and see what it’s all about. But honestly, even though [jiu-jitsu] is her best attribute, it’s not my weakest attribute.” – Liz Carmouche, on whether she will fight Bishop.
Liz Carmouche

“She does very well when she can intimidate people. But I don’t think I’m easily intimidated.” – Jena Bishop
Jena Bishop

Factor X: Skill level. Carmouche has faced the best in MMA, while Bishop has less experience.

What to expect: Carmouche, with her experience, will she use her fighting to keep the fight standing?

Bantamweight: Marcirley Alves vs. Justin Wetzell

Alves’s trajectory: Victory by split decision against Leandro Higo (April 11); victory by unanimous decision against Jake Hadley in the June semi-final.Wetzell’s Track Record: Unanimous decision victory against Kasum Kasumov (April 11); unanimous decision victory against Mando Gutierrez in the June semi-final.

A key fact: 15. The combined number of canceled fights in both fighters’ careers. Alves has had eight cancellations, while Wetzell has had seven.

“Fighting defensively means fighting someone else’s style. It’s not going to win you the fight. … My game plan for this [fight] is centered on my offense, not necessarily on what Marcirely is going to bring and reacting to that. I have to be the offensive person if I want to win.” – Justin Wetzell
Justin Wetzell

“For sure, the stand-up fight [is in my favor]. Anything stand-up, I know he’ll just want to make a boring fight.” – Marcirley Alves
Marcirley Alves

Factor X: Opportunism. Both fighters entered the tournament as substitutes.

What to expect: Alves has 10 knockouts in his 14 victories. Wetzell has four KOs and one submission in his 12 victories. Will power and endurance be tested?