FiredUp Network | MMA Event Preview
The Professional Fighters League returns to Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, on Friday, October 16, with a championship rematch headlining a card featuring established veterans, undefeated prospects and important divisional matchups.
The main event features Liz Carmouche against Jena Bishop for the inaugural PFL Women’s Flyweight World Championship.
The co-main event brings together undefeated featherweight Timur Khizriev and Brazilian contender Gabriel Braga in a matchup with major implications for the division.
Main Event — Women’s Flyweight World Championship
Liz Carmouche vs. Jena Bishop
Carmouche: 26–8 | Bishop: 11–3
Vacant championship at stake
Carmouche enters with extensive experience, championship credentials and a reputation for physical pressure.
The former Bellator champion won the fighters’ previous meeting in the 2025 PFL tournament final by knockout, giving her a significant psychological advantage heading into the rematch.
Jena Bishop — The submission threat
Bishop is a dangerous grappler whose strongest route to victory is to create scrambles, secure dominant positions and force Carmouche into defensive exchanges on the ground.
She has rebounded with two first-round finishes in 2026, according to pre-event coverage.
Keys to victory
Carmouche: Apply forward pressure, control the wrestling exchanges and make Bishop work defensively.
Bishop: Avoid prolonged striking exchanges, create takedown opportunities and capitalize on submission openings.
Prediction: Carmouche by decision.
Her experience and success in their previous encounter make her the pick, although Bishop’s submission game creates a legitimate upset threat.
Co-Main Event — Featherweight
Timur Khizriev vs. Gabriel Braga
Khizriev: 18–0 | Braga: 17–3
This is a high-level featherweight contest featuring an undefeated Russian fighter against a proven Brazilian contender.
Khizriev’s unbeaten record makes him a major attraction, while Braga has the opportunity to deliver a defining victory against one of the division’s most difficult opponents. Keys to victory
Khizriev: Maintain composure, dictate the pace and use his well-rounded game to keep Braga from building momentum.
Braga: Make the fight unpredictable, land damaging combinations and exploit any defensive openings.
Prediction: Khizriev by decision.
His unbeaten record and consistency make him the selection, but Braga has the experience to push him into difficult exchanges.
Other Main Card Bouts
Sarvarjon Khamidov vs. Rafael do Nascimento – Bantamweight
Khamidov brings a 17–1 record into this matchup, while do Nascimento arrives as a dangerous opponent with a 13–2 record listed on the official event announcement.
Both have demonstrated finishing ability, making the grappling exchanges particularly important.
Prediction: Khamidov by decision.
Oualy Tandia vs. J.P. Saint Louis
Welterweight
The undefeated Tandia enters at 5–0, facing the more experienced Saint Louis, who is listed at 12–5.
Tandia has a chance to strengthen his standing, while Saint Louis can spoil the prospect’s unbeaten run.
Prediction: Tandia by decision.
Emiliano Sordi vs. Abraham Bably
Light heavyweight
Former PFL light heavyweight champion Sordi faces Bably in a matchup between an experienced veteran and a dangerous opponent with a strong heavyweight background.
The bout will test Sordi’s ability to control range and avoid Bably’s power.
Prediction: Sordi by decision.
Preliminary Card Highlights
The preliminary lineup offers additional opportunities for emerging fighters to establish themselves.
Waters Welterweight
Gamid Khizriev vs. Michael Boylan Lightweight
Shannon Clark vs. Lucero Acosta Women’s flyweight
Cassio Barão vs. Kevin Pease Lightweight
Cobey Fehr vs. Rosario Romero Bantamweight
Paulina Wisniewska vs. Chelsea Hackett Women’s flyweight
Noah Hermosillo vs. Caden Cox Featherweight
Benita van Rooij vs. Giuliany Perea Women’s strawweight
Levan Khabalaev vs. Brock Hamer Lightweight
The card is subject to change.
Final Predictions
Carmouche vs. Bishop
Carmouche by decision
Khizriev vs. Braga
Khizriev by decision
Khamidov vs. do Nascimento
Khamidov by decision
Tandia vs. Saint LouisTandia by decision
Sordi vs. Bably
Sordi by decision
Final Verdict
PFL Chicago has a clear centerpiece in the battle between Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop.
A vacant world championship, a rematch with history behind it and an accomplished veteran looking to cement her place at the top give the main event substantial stakes.
The Khizriev-Braga co-main event adds another compelling storyline, particularly because Khizriev’s unbeaten record will face a serious test against an experienced opponent.
FiredUp Network prediction: Carmouche captures the inaugural women’s flyweight championship, while Khizriev preserves his unbeaten record in the co-main event.
If both predictions hold, Chicago could be a significant night for two of the PFL’s leading contenders.
