Chicago, April 11, 2026 – The Professional Fighters League (PFL) brought its unique brand of mixed martial arts action to the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, delivering a night of thrilling bouts and unexpected outcomes. The main event saw former world champion Sergio Pettis fall to undefeated PFL newcomer Mitch McKee, marking a significant shift in the bantamweight division.
Mitch McKee, with an unblemished record of 11-0, faced off against the top-ranked Sergio Pettis, who boasted a 25-7 record. McKee, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American, showcased his wrestling prowess, effectively neutralizing Pettis’ game plan and threatening multiple finishes. The judges’ unanimous decision in favor of McKee (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) solidified his position as a rising star in the division and is expected to propel him into the Top 10 rankings.
The co-main event featured a clash of elite grapplers, with two-time NCAA Division II Champion Raufeon Stots (21-4) squaring off against the undefeated Renat Khavalov (12-0). The bout was a closely contested affair, with both fighters demonstrating their skills and inflicting damage. A pivotal moment came in the third round when Stots landed a powerful knee that sent Khavalov to the canvas. Despite this, the judges scored the fight unanimously in favor of Khavalov (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), preserving his undefeated record.
In a battle of UFC veterans, Viviane Araujo (13-7) and Shanna Young (11-8) engaged in a 15-minute war. Both fighters had their moments, but it was Araujo who ultimately pulled ahead, securing a unanimous decision victory (30-27) in her PFL debut.
The main card opened with a featherweight bout between Gabriel Braga (17-3) and Cheyden Leialoha (11-3). Leialoha initially relied on his grappling to counter Braga’s striking, but Braga weathered the early storm and took control in the later rounds. The judges awarded Braga a unanimous decision victory (29-28).
The scheduled middleweight bout between Jordan Newman (8-0) and Josh Silveira (15-5) was cancelled due to Newman’s withdrawal.
Other notable results from the preliminary card include Jena Bishop’s technical submission victory over Borena Tsertsvadze, Omar El Dafrawy’s knockout of James Vake, and Paulina Wisniewska’s TKO win against Kana Watanabe.
The PFL’s upcoming schedule includes events in Belfast, Sioux Falls, and Brussels, promising more exciting action for fight fans worldwide.
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