Preview: PFL 2025 World Tournament First Round 2

Bantamweight Quarterfinal

Matheus Mattos (14-3-1, 0-0 PFL) vs. Jake Hadley (11-4, 0-0 PFL): With an 86% finish rate, Mattos has proven throughout his 14-year career that he can put away anybody at any moment, but he’s looking to rebound from his loss to Kasum Kasumov in June. Hadley is a battle-tested UFC veteran who hopes a fresh start in the PFL is what he needs after going 1-3 in his last four fights.

Women’s Flyweight Quarterfinal

Liz Carmouche (22-8, 2-1 PFL) vs. Ilara Joanne (12-9, 1-1 PFL): A Bellator women’s flyweight champion, Carmouche was stunned to have her nine-fight winning streak snapped in the PFL semifinals last season but still feels she has the goods to go all the way. Joanne comes in off a win over Shanna Young but could be in for a long night against Carmouche’s wrestling. Joanne has been submitted three times in her career and could be vulnerable against the Bellator champion.

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the PFL World Tournament LIVE Friday, April 11 at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN2..

Women’s Flyweight Quarterfinal

Kana Watanabe (13-3-1, 1-1 PFL) vs. Jena Bishop (7-2, 1-2 PFL): Watanabe is one of the most battle-tested flyweights in the world. She has tangled with the best in Bellator and nearly claimed the title but was turned away by Carmouche. Watanabe’s striking is fierce, and she comes to fight. At 39, Bishop hasn’t spent a ton of time in the MMA cage, but she has moved her way up the ladder thanks to her world-class jiu-jitsu pedigree. This has the makings to be the “Fight of the Night.”

Women’s Flyweight Quarterfinal

Elora Dana (7-0, 0-0 PFL) vs. Diana Avsaragova (6-1, 0-0 PFL): Two PFL debutants clash to see whose Cinderella run deserves to last longer. Dana is 7-0 with four submissions on her ledger but is coming off a knockout win in May. Avsaragova has cut her teeth in Bellator since 2021 but hasn’t fought since her first loss in August 2023.

Bantamweights

Vilson Ndregjoni (11-4, 0-0 PFL) vs. Marcirley Alves (12-4, 0-0 PFL): A heavy-handed Brazilian, Alves was on the rise before his momentum was halted by undefeated bantamweight prospect Sarvajon Khamidov in June. Ndregjoni hails from Albania and has won six of his last seven, heading into his PFL debut. The winner of this fight will earn a spot as a potential alternate in the tournament.

Jump To »
Higo vs. Rettinghouse
Velasquez vs. Shakalova
Nuzzi vs. Gutierrez
Kasumov vs. Wetzell
The Prelims