Ali Akbar Rosady
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced its upcoming event in Chicago, scheduled for April 11th, which will feature former Bellator bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis in the main event against Mitch McKee. The card, set to take place at the Wintrust Arena, will air live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, positioning it in direct competition with UFC 327, which is slated for the same date in Miami and will be broadcast on Paramount+. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has yet to reveal its headlining attraction for the pay-per-view numbered event.
The PFL’s decision to schedule a significant card, headlined by a prominent figure like Pettis, on the same night as a major UFC pay-per-view marks a notable strategic move within the mixed martial arts landscape. This direct scheduling conflict underscores the intensifying competition between the two promotions, particularly following the PFL’s recent acquisition of Bellator MMA, which significantly bolstered its roster with established talent.
Sergio Pettis (25-7 MMA, 2-0 PFL) enters the main event contest riding a two-fight winning streak since his arrival in the PFL. The younger brother of former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, Sergio brings a wealth of experience from his tenure in both the UFC and Bellator. During his time in the UFC, Pettis compiled a 9-5 record, primarily competing in the flyweight division, where he showcased dynamic striking and technical prowess against top-tier opponents. His notable victories in the UFC included decisions over Joseph Benavidez and Brandon Moreno.
Following his departure from the UFC, Pettis made a significant impact in Bellator, where he captured the bantamweight championship. He successfully defended his title against elite challengers, notably securing a split-decision victory over Japanese MMA legend Kyoji Horiguchi and a dominant unanimous decision win against Patchy Mix, solidifying his status as one of the world’s premier bantamweights. His transition to the PFL has been equally impressive, marked by a decisive victory over Raufeon Stots and a spectacular knockout of the year contender against Magomed Magomedov in October of the previous year. Pettis’s striking accuracy, defensive skills, and ability to finish fights have made him a formidable presence in the bantamweight division, and his continued success in the PFL is pivotal to the promotion’s growing visibility.
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Facing Pettis in the headliner will be the undefeated Mitch McKee (10-0 MMA, 1-0 Bellator). The 28-year-old, known as "Merciless," has compiled a perfect professional record between 2021 and 2022, primarily honing his skills within the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) promotion. McKee’s tenure in the LFA saw him accumulate an impressive 8-0 record, with five of those victories coming by way of knockout, demonstrating his significant power and finishing instincts. His sole appearance under the Bellator banner resulted in a second-round TKO victory over Tony Ortega in 2022, further cementing his reputation as a dangerous rising prospect. McKee’s undefeated status and explosive fighting style present a compelling challenge to the seasoned veteran Pettis, and the matchup is poised to be a high-stakes encounter for both fighters. For McKee, a victory over a former world champion like Pettis would undoubtedly elevate his profile and position him as a serious contender in the PFL’s bantamweight division.
The co-main event of the PFL Chicago card will feature an intriguing middleweight clash between Jordan Newman and Josh Silveira. Josh Silveira (15-5 MMA, 1-0 PFL), the son of American Top Team (ATT) head coach Conan Silveira, brings a strong grappling pedigree and a well-rounded skillset to the cage. A former two-division LFA champion, Silveira has demonstrated his ability to dominate opponents across multiple weight classes. He re-enters the PFL cage following a middleweight decision victory over Murad Ramazanov in August of the previous year, a performance that showcased his control and strategic approach. Silveira’s background, deeply rooted in one of MMA’s most prestigious gyms, provides him with a strong foundation and tactical acumen. His experience in high-pressure championship bouts from his LFA days will be a significant asset as he aims to climb the PFL rankings.
Opposing Silveira will be the undefeated Jordan Newman (8-0 MMA, 1-0 PFL). Newman is a highly decorated wrestler, boasting three NCAA Division III All-American honors during his collegiate career. His entire professional mixed martial arts career prior to joining the PFL was spent within the Bellator cage, where he compiled a perfect record. Newman made a successful and impactful PFL debut in August of the previous year, stopping Eslam Abdul Baset with a TKO, a performance that highlighted his dominant wrestling coupled with improving striking. His transition from Bellator, much like Pettis, is a direct result of the PFL’s recent organizational changes. Newman’s wrestling base provides him with a significant advantage in controlling the tempo and location of his fights, and his undefeated record suggests a fighter rapidly ascending in skill and confidence. The Silveira-Newman bout represents a classic grappler-versus-grappler contest, with both fighters possessing the ability to dictate the pace on the mat, promising a technical and physically demanding encounter.
The scheduling conflict between PFL Chicago and UFC 327 introduces a compelling dynamic for MMA fans and industry observers. While counter-programming is not unprecedented in combat sports, a direct clash between a PFL event featuring a high-profile former champion and a numbered UFC pay-per-view on the same night is a notable occurrence. The UFC’s delayed announcement of a main event for UFC 327 in Miami creates a unique window for the PFL to capture significant media attention and potentially draw viewership, especially with a compelling headliner like Pettis. Numbered UFC events typically feature championship bouts or highly anticipated matchups between top contenders, and the absence of such an announcement so close to the event date is unusual.
This head-to-head scenario reflects the PFL’s aggressive strategy to establish itself as a dominant force in professional MMA. With the integration of Bellator’s roster, the PFL now commands a deeper pool of talent, enabling it to put together stronger cards and challenge the UFC more directly for market share and audience engagement. For fighters, such competitive scheduling can lead to increased opportunities and potentially higher purses as promotions vie for top talent. For fans, it presents a dilemma of choice, necessitating decisions on which event to prioritize, or how to navigate simultaneous broadcasts. The outcome of this particular night in April will offer valuable insights into the evolving landscape of mixed martial arts and the PFL’s continued ascent.
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