Ahead of Friday's game against PFL Chicago, the athletes on each card spent time with assembled members of the media, including MMA Knockout Zayn Bando, and gave their thoughts on their respective bouts.
The event will feature the regular season featherweight and welterweight divisions, but that doesn't mean other fighters won't have a chance to show off their talents as well.
To refresh your memory, let's take a look at the match order, courtesy of PFL. Only one of his fighters, Laureano Staropoli, missed weight in each bout.
PFL Chicago – Main Card – 10pm ET on ESPN /ESPN+
- Welterweight Regular Season Main Event: Andrei Koreshkov (27-4) vs. Magomed Umalatov (14-0)
- Featherweight Regular Season Co-Main Event: Brendan Loughnane (27-5) vs. Pedro Carvalho (13-8)
- Welterweight Regular Season Match: Logan Storey (15-2) vs. Shamil Musaev (16-0-1)
- Featherweight Regular Season Match: Gabriel Braga (12-1) vs. Justin Gonzalez (14-3)
- Welterweight Regular Season Match: Goiti Yamauchi (28-6) vs. Neiman Gracie (12-4)
- Featherweight Regular Season Match: Bubba Jenkins (21-7) vs. Kai Kamaka (12-5-1)
PFL Chicago – Early Cards – 7pm on ESPN+
- Featherweight Regular Season Match: Adam Boricz (18-2) vs. Enrique Barzola (20-7-2)
- Featherweight Regular Season Match: Timur Khizuriyev (14-0) vs. Brett Johns (20-3)
- Welterweight Regular Season Match: Laureano Staropoli (13-5) vs. Murad Ramazanov (11-0)
- Welterweight Regular Season Match: Don Mudge (10-4-1) vs. Brennan Ward (17-7)
- Welterweight Regular Season Match: Tyler Diamond (12-3) vs. Otto Rodriguez (14-1)
- Welterweight Showcase Match: Romain Dubienne (10-4) vs. Thad Jean (6-0)
Here are three key takeaways from PFL Chicago Media Day, held Wednesday morning from the Drake Hotel and streamed virtually via Zoom.
1. Andrei Koreshkov doesn't care about different rulesets
Koreshkov is used to fighting all over the world, and with that in mind, has no difficulty in having to adapt to the different rules set in the PFL, such as the elimination of elbow strikes to opponents who are on the ground. I don't feel it either.
Koreshkov, who will face Magomed Umalatov at welterweight in the main event, spoke to MMA Knockout and other reporters through an interpreter about his understanding of the different levels of MMA and how he has learned to behave over the years.
“There will be no compromises in this fight,” Koreshkov said Wednesday. “We're both from Russia, but that doesn't mean we're going to feel sorry for each other during the match. We're going to fight just like we would fight anyone else, and it's going to be very epic, very brutal. It's going to be a very exciting fight, so don't blink. ”
2. Bubba Jenkins sends message to Bellator fighter Brendan Locknain
Bubba Jenkins was quick to praise his PFL experience ahead of his fight with Kai Kamaka on Friday night, saying Bellator fighters who haven't experienced a PFL smart cage don't know what's going to happen next.
When asked who he wanted to fight this season, Jenkins said, “Everyone.” “The guys I haven't fought yet, and of course the rematch against Locknane. It's natural to see him again in the championship and it's a great feat because I want to get that back.”
Jenkins' first job will be to deal with Kamaka, who is looking to continue Hawaii's momentum following Max Holloway's knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
3. Neiman Gracie wants to continue his family's legacy
After Royce Gracie perfected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 30 years ago, Neiman Gracie hopes to keep the family tradition alive by taking home $1 million in prize money in a welterweight bout with Goity Yamauchi.
“They've been raising me since I was one year old. So they've been raising me for a long time, and I'm ready.”
Getting ready is an added motivation for Gracie, who has the benefit of training with UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
The action continues from Chicago on Friday night as MMA Knockout offers live results and coverage from the post-fight festivities.
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