An extensive MMA event is set to take place this Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, showcasing a matchup of PFL and Bellator champions in the first event since their merger. The fight card consists of 11 matches, with the main event being a heavyweight battle between PFL champion Renan Ferreira and Bellator champion Ryan Bader.
Ferreira, with a record of 12-3 and three No Contests, is coming off a second-round knockout victory over Denis Goltsov in November, earning the title of 2023 PFL heavyweight season champion. His impressive 6-1 record with three No Contests in PFL includes notable victories over Maurice Greene, Matheus Scheffel, and Jamelle Jones.
Bader, on the other hand, holds a record of 31-7 and one No Contest. His most recent accomplishment was a first-round knockout win over Fedor Emelianenko to defend his Bellator heavyweight title. With a current three-fight winning streak, Bader has defeated opponents like Cheick Kongo and Valentin Moldavsky, although he did suffer a knockout loss to Corey Anderson at 205lbs. Throughout his career, Bader has secured victories over respected names such as Lyoto Machida, Matt Mitrione, King Mo, Rashad Evans, Ovince St. Preux, and Rampage Jackson.
The victor of the Ferreira vs. Bader matchup is anticipated to encounter Francis Ngannou later this year in the PFL for his return to MMA competition.
The co-main event of today’s PFL vs. Bellator card features PFL light heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay squaring off against Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen at 185lbs.
In addition, former UFC veterans Thiago Santos and Yoel Romero will engage in a light heavyweight showdown. The main card will kick off with an exciting lightweight clash between Clay Collard and AJ McKee.
View all live results and highlights for tonight’s event below (refresh for updates):
Main card
Renan Ferreira secures victory over Ryan Bader via TKO at 0:21 of Round 1.
Sensational performance by Renan Ferreira in his win over Ryan Bader pic.twitter.com/xV3J1oRAks
— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024
Johnny Eblen emerges victorious against Impa Kasanganay by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
IMPRESSIVE performance by Johnny Eblen in his fight with Impa Kasanganay #PFLvsBellator – WATCH LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 https://t.co/cJUXOuQ94d
🌏 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/JXOoRLwewo
— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024
Jason Jackson achieves victory over Ray Cooper III via TKO at 0:23 of Round 2.
Dominant performance by Jason Jackson against Ray Cooper III. Referee stopped the fight early #BellatorvsPFL pic.twitter.com/vlUIa7eWyb
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 24, 2024
Vadim Nemkov secures victory over Bruno Cappelozza via submission (arm triangle) at 2:13 of Round 2.
Vadim Nemkov emerges victorious in his heavyweight debut against Bruno Cappelozza with a second-round submission.
Bellator maintains a perfect 3-0 record against PFL in the event so far #PFLvsBellator
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 24, 2024
Yoel Romero secures a victory over Thiago Santos by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Yoel Romero’s strategy of targeting the legs with low kicks has been effective through the first two rounds.