PFL MMA Rocks Chicago with Major League fights

The Professional Fighters League touched down in the Windy City on April 11 with PFL Chicago: Pettis vs. McKee, delivering a results-heavy card defined by undefeated prospects, emphatic finishes, and a changing of the guard atop the bantamweight division.

In the main event, rising contender Mitch McKee announced himself as a serious player at 135 pounds, outclassing former Bellator champion Sergio Pettis over three rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory. Fighting in his promotional debut, McKee showcased composure beyond his years, neutralizing Pettis’ striking and consistently winning key exchanges to improve to 11-0. The win immediately thrusts McKee into the title conversation, while Pettis—previously ranked among the division’s elite—now finds himself at a crossroads following a decisive loss.

While the co-main event lost some shine due to a late cancellation, the bantamweight division still saw another undefeated fighter make a statement. Renat Khavalov extended his perfect record to 12-0 with a methodical unanimous decision over Raufeon Stots, using pressure and control to stifle the former interim Bellator champion. Khavalov’s disciplined performance positions him as another emerging threat in a suddenly crowded contender pool.

Former UFC contender Viviane Araujo enjoyed a successful PFL debut, earning a clear-cut decision over Shanna Young. Araujo’s experience and composure were evident throughout, as she dictated the pace and avoided unnecessary risks to secure the win. Her arrival adds depth to the women’s divisions and signals she could quickly climb the ranks with similar performances.

The undercard, however, is where the night’s most explosive moments unfolded.

Biaggio Ali Walsh, grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, delivered one of the event’s standout highlights with a blistering 46-second knockout of Dash Harris. Fighting in his hometown, Walsh overwhelmed his opponent with body shots and uppercuts, bouncing back in emphatic fashion after a previous loss in Chicago. The quick finish not only energized the crowd but reaffirmed his potential as a developing prospect.

Heavyweight action also produced a memorable finish, as Alexandr Romanov showcased his grappling dominance with a slam into a guillotine choke submission against Rodrigo Nascimento. The sequence highlighted Romanov’s physicality and finishing instincts, making a strong case for his relevance in the PFL’s heavyweight landscape.

Elsewhere, Omar El Dafrawy needed just over a minute to secure a first-round knockout, while Jena Bishop wasted little time locking in a rear-naked choke submission in her opening-round victory. Paulina Wiśniewska also turned heads with a dominant stoppage win over Kana Watanabe, further adding to a night filled with decisive outcomes.

From top to bottom, PFL Chicago delivered a clear narrative: the next wave has arrived. With McKee and Khavalov leading a charge of unbeaten fighters and multiple prospects scoring highlight-reel finishes, the event served as both a showcase of emerging talent and a reshuffling of divisional hierarchies. As the PFL continues its 2026 campaign, the ripple effects from Chicago are likely to be felt across several weight classes.