PFL vs. Bellator: CHAMPS Preview and Predictions

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is set to host the PFL vs. Bellator CHAMP fight event. It is a monumental occasion in which we will see the champions from one organization face off against the champions from another. Feb. 24 will be a historic event as the first and only ‘Seize the Throne’ unified title belt will be awarded to the winners.

Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader

The main event is set to be a battle between the two reigning heavyweight kings. MMA veteran Ryan Bader will take on the Brazilian KO machine Renan Ferreira. “Problema” Ferreira is a towering 6’8″ and uses his full length to earn an impressive eighty-three percent KO win rate.

Renan Ferreira claimed the 2023 PFL heavyweight championship three months to the day before he is slated to throw down with Bellator kingpin Ryan Bader; can Ferreira fend off the longtime Bellator standout?

Brazil’s Ferreira picked up the 2023 PFL heavyweight title with three consecutive KO wins all within the first two rounds. The 34-year-old athlete successfully stopped Matheus Scheffel, Matheus Scheffel, and Denis Goltsov all with punches.

“Darth” Ryan Bader is a history-maker. The US-born fighter has held the heavyweight and light heavyweight world championships in Bellator, the first to ever hold two titles at the same time in Bellator history. Most impressively, he had defended each of these thrones.

The American athlete has a background in collegiate wrestling but has developed his striking game to become a dangerous KO striker. Throughout his career, he has defeated fighters such as Fedor Emelianenko, Cheick Kongo, Lyoto Machida, and several others.

Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader are booked for the unified heavyweight title and will pick up the custom-made belt and ring.

In a press conference, Brazil’s Ferreira said:

“It’s a special moment for the fans and a special moment for the sport. I feel honored to be in the position as the main event to fight against a guy with the credentials that Ryan Bader has. Just excited to get there. You guys know my fighting style, always pressing the action and moving forward. So just excited to put on a great show.”

Impa Kasanganay vs. Johnny Eblen

Division kings Impa Kasanganay and Johnny Eblen are set to face off for the unified middleweight title on Feb. 24. Kasanganay is a soft-spoken warrior. While belts and money are great, he loves competing in MMA due to the personal growth and journey it allows him to explore.

“Tshilobo” Kasanganay is on an impressive six-fight win streak and picked up the 2023 PFL light heavyweight crown having defeated Josh Silveira, Marthin Hamlet, and Tim Caron.

Johnny Eblen is a smothering wrestler coached by MMA icon “King’ Mo Lawal. The US-born athlete was a notable competitor in NCAA Division I Wrestling before transitioning to MMA. Since then, “The Human Cheat Code” has remained undefeated in his 14 bouts. Plus he has picked up and defended the Bellator middleweight crown having defeated the likes of Gegard Mousasi and others.

While speaking to the media, Eblen said:

“I just train to get better every day. Impa’s name popped in the hat and I am ready for that challenge. He’s a PFL champion at 205. He’s tough, durable, and a good fighter. I feel like just continuing to win is great and that’s what I am going to continue to do as long as I fight.”

Patrício Pitbull vs. Gabriel Alves Braga

Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader

The American athlete has a background in collegiate wrestling but he develops his striking game to become a dangerous KO striker. Throughout his career, he has defeated fighters such as Fedor Emelianenko, Cheick Kongo, Lyoto Machida, and several others.

Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader are booked for the unified heavyweight title and will pick up the custom-made belt and ring.

In a press conference, Brazil’s Ferreira said:

“It’s a special moment for the fans and a special moment for the sport. I feel honored to be in the position of the main event to fight against a guy with the credentials that Ryan Bader has. Just excited to get there. You guys know my fighting style, always pressing the action and moving forward. So just excited to put on a great show.”

Impa Kasanganay vs. Johnny Eblen

“Tshilobo” Kasanganay is on an impressive six-fight win streak and picked up the 2023 PFL light heavyweight crown having defeated Josh Silveira, Marthin Hamlet, and Tim Caron.

While speaking to the media, Eblen said:

“I just train to get better every day. Impa’s name popped in the hat and I am ready for that challenge. He’s a PFL champion at 205. He’s tough, durable, and a good fighter. I feel like just continuing to win is great and that’s what I am going to continue to do as long as I fight.”

Patrício Pitbull vs. Gabriel Alves Braga

At featherweight, two Brazilian athletes, Patrício Pitbull and Gabriel Alves Braga, are booked in this showdown. Jesus Pinedo made a name for himself in 2023 by going undefeated and claiming the PFL featherweight championship; how does he fare against perhaps the most noteworthy fighter in the history of Bellator?

The 36-year-old Pitbull is a dangerous fighter having won more than half of his bouts by way of KO or submission stoppage. He holds the record for having the most fights in Bellator history in addition to having the most title matches in the organization’s history as well.

In a pre-fight press conference, Patrício Pitbull said:

“I have always asked for cross-promotion as it is very important for this sport. Everyone wants to see who is the best and which champion is the best in the world. Now we have the opportunity to show who is the best.”

Ray Cooper III vs. Jason Jackson

Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson will take on PFL veteran Ray Cooper III in a catchweight match at 182 lbs. The Jamaican-born “The Ass-Kicking Machine” Jackson has impressive wins over notable fighters such as Yaroslav Amosov, Douglas Lima, Paul Daley, and Benson Henderson, among others.

Ray Cooper III is a two-time PFL welterweight king having won tournaments in 2019 and 2021. He holds victories over Jake Shields, Rory MacDonald, Brett Cooper, and more. The 31-year-old fighter also has the record for the fastest KO in PFL history at just 18 seconds.

Ahead of the Feb. 24 match, Jackson said:

“Want to thank Ray Cooper for making this fight possible because, without him, there would not be any fireworks. I am going to beat his ass.”