PFL Chicago Results: Jena Bishop Defeats Liz Carmouche to Become Inaugural Women’s Flyweight World Champion

Jena Bishop survives a dangerous opening round to capture PFL championship gold, while veteran Liz Carmouche delivers another courageous performance in a memorable five-round battle.

The Professional Fighters League returned to Chicago, Illinois, on Friday, October 16, 2026, for PFL Chicago at Wintrust Arena, featuring a historic women’s flyweight championship main event between Jena Bishop and former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche.

In a competitive five-round rematch, Bishop earned a unanimous decision victory over Carmouche, with all three judges scoring the contest 48-47. The victory crowned Bishop the inaugural PFL Women’s Flyweight World Champion and marked one of the most significant achievements of her professional MMA career.

The event also featured undefeated featherweight Timur Khizriev, several impressive stoppages, and rising contenders looking to establish themselves within the PFL.

Jena Bishop Overcomes Early Adversity to Make History

Entering the championship fight, Carmouche held a previous victory over Bishop, having defeated her by first-round knockout in the 2025 PFL Women’s Flyweight Tournament final.

That result made Carmouche a formidable opponent entering their second meeting. A former UFC title challenger, Bellator world champion, and PFL tournament winner, Carmouche brought extensive championship experience into the contest.

The opening round appeared to be following a familiar script.

Carmouche started aggressively, connecting with powerful punches that badly hurt Bishop. The veteran followed her opponent to the canvas and unleashed ground strikes, coming close to forcing a stoppage.

Bishop survived the opening assault and gradually changed the direction of the contest by utilizing her elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills.

As the fight progressed, Bishop established greater control in the grappling exchanges, securing advantageous positions and forcing Carmouche to defend submission attempts.

The third round proved particularly important, with Bishop taking Carmouche’s back and threatening a rear-naked choke. Despite the difficult position, Carmouche demonstrated tremendous composure and defensive awareness to survive.

Carmouche continued fighting aggressively in the later rounds, finding success in striking exchanges and refusing to concede momentum. However, Bishop’s takedowns and positional control ultimately proved decisive.

After 25 minutes, all three judges awarded Bishop the victory by identical 48-47 scorecards.

The result improved Bishop’s professional record to 12-3 and established her as the first PFL Women’s Flyweight World Champion.

Professional Fighters League News

+2

Liz Carmouche Shows the Heart of a Champion

Although Carmouche did not leave Chicago with the championship belt, her performance deserves considerable recognition.

At 42 years old, Carmouche continues competing against elite opposition in one of women’s MMA’s most competitive divisions.

Her opening-round performance demonstrated that she remains an extremely dangerous fighter, possessing the striking power and finishing instincts that have defined much of her career.

Equally impressive was her defensive grappling. Bishop is an accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor, yet Carmouche repeatedly defended dangerous submission positions and remained competitive throughout the championship rounds.

Carmouche’s determination was especially noteworthy considering the difficult weight cut preceding the fight. At the official weigh-ins, she cut her hair to help make the 125-pound championship limit, demonstrating the lengths she was willing to go to fulfill her championship opportunity.

While the judges ultimately favored Bishop’s grappling and positional control, Carmouche’s toughness, professionalism, and competitive spirit were evident throughout the contest.

A pioneer of women’s MMA who competed in the UFC’s first women’s fight against Ronda Rousey in 2013, Carmouche has spent more than a decade facing some of the sport’s best athletes.

Her performance in Chicago reinforced the respect she has earned throughout her career. One defeat does not diminish her accomplishments or her continued ability to compete at the championship level.

Timur Khizriev Remains Undefeated Against Gabriel Braga

In the featherweight co-main event, undefeated Timur Khizriev faced Brazilian contender Gabriel Braga in a closely contested three-round matchup.

Khizriev entered the fight looking to protect his perfect professional record against a dangerous opponent with considerable PFL experience.

Both fighters enjoyed moments of success, producing a competitive contest that required the judges to determine the winner.

Khizriev ultimately secured a split decision victory, earning scores of 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28.

The result improved Khizriev’s record to 19-0 and strengthened his position among the PFL’s leading featherweight contenders.

Braga, despite suffering the defeat, demonstrated why he remains a difficult matchup in the division.

Sarvarjon Khamidov and Eliezer Kubanza Deliver Impressive Knockouts

Bantamweight Sarvarjon Khamidov produced one of the evening’s most impressive finishes, knocking out Rafael do Nascimento with punches at 1:49 of the first round.

Khamidov’s explosive performance added another victory to his professional record and reinforced his status as an emerging contender.

Welterweight Eliezer Kubanza also delivered a statement performance, stopping Trey Waters with punches just 1:36 into the opening round.

Elsewhere, Emiliano Sordi defeated Abraham Bably by second-round TKO, while Shannon Clark secured a third-round stoppage against Lucero Acosta.

The preliminary card featured several submissions and early finishes, providing an entertaining buildup to the championship main event.

Complete PFL Chicago Results — October 16, 2026

Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois

Main card

Preliminary card

Professional Fighters League News

+2

What’s Next for Jena Bishop and the PFL Flyweight Division?

With Bishop now holding the inaugural PFL Women’s Flyweight Championship, attention turns toward her first title defense.

One potential opponent is undefeated British star Dakota Ditcheva, who previously defeated Bishop during the 2024 PFL season.

Ditcheva has already expressed interest in challenging the new champion, setting the stage for a possible championship matchup in 2027.

For Carmouche, the Chicago defeat leaves her professional record at 26-9, but her competitive performance suggests she remains capable of challenging elite fighters.

PFL Chicago represented an important milestone for the promotion’s women’s flyweight division. Bishop’s championship victory established a new titleholder, while Carmouche’s courageous effort provided the kind of competitive challenge worthy of a historic championship fight.

As the PFL continues developing its championship structure, the inaugural women’s flyweight title fight will be remembered as an important moment for the promotion and the athletes who helped establish the division.