The PFL on Friday announced its latest pair of tournament fields for its first year under a revamped format.
At women’s flyweight, the field is filled up with many fighters who are familiar with each other.
A pair of former Bellator champions, Liz Carmouche (22-8) and Juliana Velasquez (13-3), are in the field. They’re notable for their Bellator trilogy, in which Carmouche gave Velasquez all three of her losses, including two in title fights. Additionally, the field includes former Bellator title challenger Kana Watanabe (13-3-1); seven-time UFC fighter Taila Santos (22-4).
Rounding out the field are Jena Bishop (7-2), Elora Dana (7-0), Ilara Joanne (12-9) and Diana Avsaragova (6-1). Ekaterina Shakalova (8-2) and Saray Orozco (8-6) will be alternates.
In the bantamweight division, recent Bellator title challenger Magomed Magomedov (24-4) tops the field of eight, along with former Bellator standout Leandro Higo (23-6). In addition, prospects Sarvarjon Khamidov (16-0) and Ciaran Clarke (10-0) will put their unbeaten records on the line, and they’re joined in the field by Ali Taleb (12-1), Kasum Kasumov (16-1), Jake Hadley (11-4) and Zebenzui Ruiz (12-3). Francesco Nuzzi (10-1) and Matheus Mattos (14-3-1) will be the division’s tournament alternates.
The PFL women’s flyweight and bantamweight tournaments will kick off with first-round matchups April 11 on the backlot of Universal Studios Florida.
This marks the first year that PFL is hosting tournaments (in eight divisions) after announcing earlier this year that it would be ditching its season format in which fighters earned points in two regular season fights to make the playoffs.
As opposed to a $1 million grand prize to PFL champions in years’ past, the winner of each division tournament will receive a $500,000 bonus.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
