Matches To Make: PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions

Bellator MMA and Professional Fighters League (PFL) have joined forces in a monumental deal that promises to give fight fans several fresh fights. But perhaps what we are most looking for is a teased “Champions vs. Champions” mega-card would take place sometime in 2024. With PFL crowning several champions just last month, we can now see who will be facing who once the event is announced. Let’s dive in to take a look at the potential championship fights.

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Heavyweight: Ryan Bader vs. Rennan Ferreira

The fight most people want to see is one between Ryan Bader and PFL’s new posterboy and former UFC Heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou. But since “The Predator” is now enjoying the spotlight as a pro boxer, there is no telling if and when that fight will take place. For now, we can expect Bader and Ferreira to collide in the new year. Bader has defended his belt three straight times, including his most recent knockout victory over Fedor Emelianenko earlier this year. Bader is undefeated at 6-0-1 as a 265-pound fighter. As for Ferreira, he won the 2023 PFL championship with a knockout win over Denis Goltsov in Nov. 2023, his third straight win.

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Light Heavyweight: Vadim Nemkov vs. Impa Kasanganay

After a less-than-stellar run inside UFC’s Octagon, Impa Kasangany was released by the promotion and eventually made his way over to PFL where he entered the Light Heavyweight tournament after earning three straight wins. And the move proved fruitful for Kasanganay, who went on to win the $1 million prize by toppling Josh Silveira. As for Bellator’s champion, Vadim Nemkov, he has looked unstoppable during his time with Bellator, going 9-0-1 capturing the 205-pound title, defended it four times and went on to win a $1 million tournament himself. This fight has all the makings of a war.

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Welterweight: Jason Jackson vs. Magomed Magomedkerimov

Jackson upset Yaroslav Amosov at Bellator 301, handing him his first-ever defeat by stopping him in the third round (highlights), ending his 27-fight unbeaten streak. In turn, Jackson earned his first-ever world title along with his seventh straight win. Magomedkerimov, meanwhile, won his second PFL championship last November with a submission win over Sadibou Sy. He is 19-1 over his last 20 fights and is currently on a six-fight win streak with his lone loss during that hot streak coming at the hands of Ray Cooper in the 2021 tournament.

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Lightweight: ???

With the current uncertainty in the Lightweight division, there is no telling what’s going to happen in 2024. Bellator was in the final stages of its Lightweight Grand Prix finale before the buy-out, and its champion, Usman Nurmagomdv, had just been suspended for testing positive for a banned substance. PFL’s back-to-back champion, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, announced his retirement following his second $1 million win.

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Featherweight: Patricio Pitbull vs. Jesus Pinedo

Despite his recent struggles, Patricio Pitbull is still the current Featherweight champion. And now that Jesus Pinedo is $1 million richer thanks to his win at the 2023 PFL Championships, the two are on a collision course in 2024. Pinedo has gone 3-1 so far inside the “Smart Cage,” which was preceded by a sub-par run inside the UFC’s Octagon where he went 1-1. Pitbull has the power and striking advantage in this one, but Pinedo is no slack in the striking department and has length on his side. This fight has all the makings of a great classic. Pitbull has lost two straight, but one was at a catchweight of 154 pounds, the other was a Bantamweight title fight. He is still firmly cemented as one of the best 145-pound fighters on the planet, and now he has a chance to collect some more hardware in 2024.

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Women’s Featherweight: Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco

While everyone wants to see Cris Cyborg and Kayla Harrison throw down, the fact of the matter is that Pacheco is the current champion at 145 pounds. She also won the 2022 Lightweight tournament by defeating, you guessed it, Kayla Harrison. Currently on a 10-fight win streak, Pacheco has proven to be one of the best 145-pound fighters in the game, and a big bout against Cyborg is just as intriguing. As for Cyborg, she returned after an 18-month layoff to face Cat Zingano at Bellator 300, ultimately defeating her via first-round technical knockout (TKO). The win was her seventh straight, further solidifying herself as one of the all-time greats in women’s MMA. That’s why a win for Pacheco would further boost her stock and pave her way toward greatness, as well.