PFL: Stellar Fights in Madrid, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Belfast

The MMA Landscape Redefined: Upcoming PFL Events

The world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is constantly evolving, and the beginning of 2026 promises dramatic transformations. Although the UFC, industry leader, will grab the attention with a stellar event at the White House on June 14, the entry of Jake Paul with Most Valuable Promotions could steal the spotlight. This event, scheduled for May 16, will feature the participation of several outstanding UFC stars and will be broadcast on Netflix. Meanwhile, the PFL (Professional Fighters League) continues to seek its own identity in the world of MMA. After experimenting with a season and playoffs format and a direct elimination tournament, the PFL returns to a traditional fight format. Starting Friday and for the next five weeks, the PFL will bring its events to major cities in the United States and Europe, presenting exciting fights.

PFL Madrid: A New Champion?

Date: Friday, Prelims at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+Main Event: Costello van Steenis vs. Fabian Edwards This is the only championship fight scheduled in this series of events. Van Steenis, current middleweight champion, will put his title to the test against Edwards. Van Steenis won the belt by submitting Johnny Eblen in the last round, a triumph that raised doubts about his reign. Edwards, for his part, seeks to overcome his history of defeats, including two against Eblen for the Bellator title, and arrives after winning the PFL tournament in 2025.Featured Fight: AJ McKee vs. Adam Borics This fight pits a former Bellator featherweight champion, AJ McKee, against Adam Borics, a former champion. McKee, known for his career in Bellator, will face Borics, who was a title contender in the past.

PFL Pittsburgh: Revival or Survival?

Date: March 28, preliminaries at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+

Main Event: Johnny Eblen vs. Bryan Battle

Johnny Eblen will seek to recover from his defeat against van Steenis by facing Bryan Battle. Battle, who debuts in the PFL after his time in the UFC, will seek to prove his worth after his exit from the octagon.Featured Fight: Impa Kasanganay vs. Dalton Rosta Kasanganay, winner of the 2023 season and finalist in 2024, will face Rosta, middleweight finalist in 2025. This fight will be contested at 185 pounds, a familiar weight for Kasanganay.

PFL Chicago: A Puzzle to Solve

Date: April 11, prelims at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+Main Event: Sergio Pettis vs. Mitch McKee Sergio Pettis, former Bellator bantamweight champion, will face Mitch McKee, a fighter with little professional experience. For McKee, this will be the most important fight of his career, a trial by fire for his undefeated record.Featured Fight: Raufeon Stots vs. Renat Khavalov Stots, after his defeat against Pettis, will face Renat Khavalov. Fans will remember Khavalov for his participation in the first PFL event of the year, where he achieved his eleventh victory. In addition, Khavalov’s team will be led by Khabib Nurmagomedov.

PFL Belfast: The Local Hero

Date: April 16, prelims at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+Main Event: Paul Hughes vs. Jay Jay Wilson Paul Hughes, a fighter from Belfast, will seek redemption in his hometown after two losses in his last three fights. His opponent will be Jay Jay Wilson, a fighter with great potential.Featured Fight: Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov vs. Tyson Pedro Yagshimuradov, who missed the opportunity to become the PFL light heavyweight champion, will face Tyson Pedro, who will debut in the PFL after a decade in the UFC and a foray into boxing.