The PFL returned to “The Windy City” on Saturday, where those in attendance at Wintrust Arena were treated to an incredible night of action.
In the main event, Mitch McKee (11-0) remained undefeated with a unanimous decision win over No. 1-ranked Sergio Pettis (25-8). The two-time NCAA Division I All-American utilized his wrestling to neutralize Pettis’ game plan, threatening multiple finishes against the former Bellator Champion.
With the victory over the division’s top-ranked bantamweight, McKee is expected to enter the Top 10 in the next release of rankings.
In the co-main event, two-time NCAA Division II Champion Raufeon Stots (21-4) faced No. 6-ranked Renat Khavalov (12-0) in a clash of elite grapplers. The bout was closely contested throughout, with both fighters finding success and dealing damage in dominant positions.
The biggest moment came in the third round, when Stots landed a powerful knee that dropped Khavalov. Despite that, all three judges scored the fight in favor of Khavalov, as the Dagestani standout remains undefeated to start his career.
In a battle of UFC veterans, No. 10-ranked Viviane Araujo (13-7) and Shanna Young (11-8) battled it out for 15-minutes, with both ladies having their moments in the bout. But it was Araujo who started to pull away, earning a 30-27 unanimous decision win in her PFL debut.
The main card opened with No. 4-ranked Gabriel Braga (17-3) taking on Cheyden Leialoha (11-3) in a featherweight bout. Early on, the Hawaii native relied on his strong grappling to neutralize Braga’s dangerous striking.
Braga weathered the early pressure and began to take control as the fight progressed, with a strong second and third round sealing the outcome, as the Brazilian earned a unanimous decision victory.
The previously scheduled middleweight bout between No. 5-ranked Jordan Newman (8-0) and No. 6-ranked Josh Silveira (15-5) has been cancelled after Newman withdrew from the contest.
PFL Chicago Main Card Results:
Mitch McKee def.(11-0) defeated #1-Sergio Pettis (25-8) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28 x3)
#6-Renat Khavalov defeated #2-Raufeon Stots (21-4) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28 x3)
#10-Viviane Araujo (14-7) defeated Shanna Young (11-9) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
#4-Gabriel Braga (17-3) defeated Cheyden Leialoha (11-3) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Preliminary Card Results:
#7-Jena Bishop (10-3) defeated Borena Tsertsvadze (6-1) via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:21 of round one
#9-Omar El Dafrawy (15-6) defeated James Vake (7-2) via KO at 1:12 of round one
#6-Paulina Wisniewska (7-1) defeated #8-Kana Watanabe (13-5-1) via TKO (strikes) at 3:15 of round two
Alexandr Romanov (22-4) defeated #6-Rodrigo Nascimento (12-5, 1 NC) via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:10 of round two
Biaggio Ali Walsh (4-1) defeated Dash Harris (2-1) via TKO (punches) at :44 of round one
Valanti Atsas (10-1) defeated Nate Jennerman (18-7) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
