A full lineup of MMA action has been announced for February 24 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring Renan Ferreira up against Ryan Bader on the top of “PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions” showdown.
Renan Ferreira (12-3, 3 NC) is a 2023 PFL heavyweight champion, taking the title by TKO in the second round against Denis Goltsov last November. Last August and June, the 34-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist knocked out Maurice Greene and Matheus Scheffel in the first round, respectively.
Ryan Bader (31-7, 1 NC) is a current Bellator heavvyweight champion. In his previous outing last February, the 40-year-old native of Reno, Nevada stopped Fedor Emelianenko in the first round and made the fourth successful defense of his title. In May and January 2022, former two-division Bellator champion defeated Cheick Kongo and Valentin Moldavsky by unanimous decision, respectively.
In an all-American co-feature contested at 185 pounds, PFL light heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay (15-3) takes on Bellator MMA champion Johnny Eblen (14-0). Also on the card, two-time PFL welterweight champion Magomed Magomedkerimov (34-6) faces off Jamaica’s Bellator champion Jason Jackson (17-4). In addition, PFL featherweight champion Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1) of Peru goes up against former Bellator two-division champion Patricio Pitbull (35-7), who is a current 145-pound titleholder.
Among the main card showcase bouts, featuring former and current champions and contenders, Bruno Cappelozza (15-6) of Brazil squares off against Vadim Nemkov (17-2) at heavyweight. As well, Thiago Santos (22-11) of Brazil goes up against Yoel Romero (15-7) of Cuba at light heavyweight. In addition, Clay Collard (24- 11) and AJ McKee (21-1) go head-to-head in an all-American contest at lightweight.
The preliminary card features Gabriel Braga (12-1) of Brazil versus American Aaron Pico (12-4) at featherweight. Plus, Biaggio Ali Walsh of the United States and Chris Morris of England make their respective pro MMA debut at lightweight. In addition, boxing world champion Claressa Shields (1-1) is back in the MMA action against Kelsey DeSantis (1-2) in an all-American bout, also at lightweight.
Rounding out the lineup, Saudi Arabian Abdullah Al-Qahtani (7-1) and Edukondal Rao (5-1) of India clash at featherweight and Malik Basahel fights in front of his home country crowd against Brazilian Vinicius Pereira in an amateur bout at flyweight.
PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions fight card
Main card
- Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader, heavyweight
- Impa Kasanganay vs. Johnny Eblen, middleweight
- Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Jason Jackson, welterweight
- Jesus Pinedo vs. Patricio Pitbull, featherweight
- Bruno Cappelozza vs. Vadim Nemkov, heavyweight
- Thiago Santos vs. Yoel Romero, light heavyweight
- Clay Collard vs. AJ McKee, lightweight
Prelims
- Gabriel Braga vs. Aaron Pico, featherweight
- Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. Chris Morris, lightweight
- Claressa Shields vs. Kelsey DeSantis, lightweight
- Abdullah Al-Qahtani vs. Edukondal Rao, featherweight
- Malik Basahel vs. Vinicius Pereira, flyweight