The Professional Fighters League returns to Florida on Saturday, Aug. 22, with one of the most accomplished fighters in women’s MMA history leading the way.
PFL Women’s Featherweight World Champion Cris Cyborg will put her title on the line against fellow Brazilian Ketlen Vieira in the main event of PFL Tampa Presented by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla.
The championship bout will mark Cyborg’s final defense of the PFL women’s featherweight title.
Cyborg (29-2) enters the contest with more than two decades of professional experience and a résumé that has established her as one of the most decorated women in MMA history. During her career, the Brazilian has captured championships across multiple major organizations while establishing herself as one of the sport’s most feared finishers.
Now, the 41-year-old champion will attempt to add another victory to a winning streak that stretches back eight years.
Vieira (16-5), however, has the opportunity to change the trajectory of her own career in one night. The Brazilian challenger will attempt to end Cyborg’s unbeaten run and capture PFL gold by defeating one of the most recognizable champions in women’s MMA history.
While Cyborg and Vieira occupy the spotlight, PFL Tampa will also feature the return of 2024 PFL lightweight champion Gadzhi Rabadanov.
Rabadanov (27-5-2), ranked No. 2 in the PFL lightweight division, was originally scheduled to face Jakub Kaszuba. Kaszuba has since withdrawn, leaving promotional newcomer Tracy Reeder to step into the co-main event.
Reeder (12-5) enters his PFL debut riding a five-fight winning streak, with all five victories coming by stoppage. He will immediately face one of the promotion’s most dangerous lightweights.
Representing Team Khabib, Rabadanov has built his recent success behind his combination of wrestling and increasingly dangerous striking. He put together a four-fight knockout streak during his run to the 2024 PFL lightweight championship and will look to continue that momentum against the newcomer.
The main card will also feature a bantamweight clash between Gustavo Oliveira and 2025 PFL World Tournament champion Marcirley Alves.
Oliveira (13-2) has established himself as a fighter capable of producing highlight-reel finishes, including a spinning-elbow knockout. He has also picked up victories in Paris and Belgium during his recent run.
Across the cage will be No. 9-ranked Alves (15-5), who enters the matchup after capturing the 2025 PFL World Tournament championship. The Brazilian brings considerably more professional experience into the matchup and will attempt to halt Oliveira’s rise through the division.
At light heavyweight, England’s Luke Trainer will welcome undefeated Roland “The Dream” Dunlap to the PFL.
Trainer (10-1), ranked No. 3 in the division, has won five consecutive fights, including four by submission. Another impressive victory could strengthen his position in the light-heavyweight title picture.
Dunlap (7-0) presents an intriguing challenge.
The former U.S. Marine and three-time All-American wrestler enters his promotional debut with a perfect professional MMA record. Dunlap also compiled a 159-9 amateur wrestling record, giving Trainer a considerably different challenge than many of the opponents he has encountered during his current winning streak.
The preliminary card brings additional ranked talent to Tampa.
No. 7 bantamweight Magomed Magomedov faces Daniel Marcos, while former PFL title challenger Taila Santos returns in a women’s flyweight contest against undefeated Sabrinna de Sousa. Santos enters as the promotion’s No. 3-ranked flyweight, while de Sousa sits at No. 9.
The preliminary lineup also includes Movsar Ibragimov against Javid Basharat, former PFL lightweight champion Natan Schulte against Artur Zaynukov, and No. 6-ranked welterweight Florim Zendeli against Omran Chaaban.
PFL Tampa Presented by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater takes place Saturday, Aug. 22, at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla. The preliminary card airs live on the ESPN App beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by the main card on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET.
PFL Tampa Fight Card
Main Card — 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)
PFL Women’s Featherweight World Championship: Cris Cyborg (c) vs. Ketlen Vieira
Lightweight: Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Tracy Reeder
Bantamweight: Gustavo Oliveira vs. Marcirley Alves
Light heavyweight: Luke Trainer vs. Roland Dunlap
Preliminary Card — 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN App)
Bantamweight: Magomed Magomedov vs. Daniel Marcos
Women’s flyweight: Taila Santos vs. Sabrinna de Sousa
Bantamweight: Movsar Ibragimov vs. Javid Basharat
Lightweight: Dakota Bush vs. Morques Forest
Lightweight: Natan Schulte vs. Artur Zaynukov
Lightweight: Gino Van Steenis vs. Robert Watley
Welterweight: Florim Zendeli vs. Omran Chaaban
Welterweight: Eoin Sheridan vs. James Vake