- George Chung
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced the PFL Europe Bantamweight fighters and bracket, with all four first round fights due to take place at PFL Europe Paris on 24 May at the Accor Arena.
Tickets are available now at AccorArena.com.
Paris will be the home of PFL Europe’s 2025 Bantamweight opening tournament fights, which will see the continent’s top athletes enter a bracket with one shot to win three bouts across the year to earn the coveted PFL Europe Championship and a cash prize of $100,000.The PFL Europe Bantamweight bracket is as follows:
Mahio Campanella, France (7-1) vs. Matiss Zaharovs, Latvia (7-3)
Carcassonne’s Mahio Campanella earned his PFL contract at the 2024 PFL Europe Championship event in Lyon last December after scoring a first round submission over Ezzoubair Bouarsa in a Doumbé Decides match-up where Cédric Doumbé handed out contracts to deserving French fighters. He will look to continue his momentum in Paris where he faces Latvia’s Matiss Zaharovs, by way of Ireland. Training out of the famed SBG institute in Dublin, Zaharovs’ seven wins in MMA have all come via finish, with five by KO/TKO and two by submission, and will be looking to pick up momentum following his second round rear naked choke victory at PFL Europe Glasgow last September.
Dean Garnett, England (12-3-1) vs. Alexander “Schlingel” Luster, Germany (9-2)
Liverpool’s Dean Garnett showed the world his grit in his Fight of the Year contender last September against Lewis McGrillen, and whilst he fell short, he showed no lack of heart to pick himself up from the canvas and drop his opponent multiple times in an awe-inspiring showcase of British MMA. He will return to the SmartCage against Bonn’s Alexander Luster, who burst on the PFL Europe scene last year with two first round rear naked choke submissions in four months, before losing in the 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship fight against the winner, Lewis McGrillen.
Anas “The Rainmaker” Azizoun, France (5-1) vs. Gustavo “Heart” Oliveira, Portugal (10-2)
Saint-Étienne’s Anas Azizoun is known for his explosive and dynamic striking ability, blending Muay Thai, kickboxing and karate. With a string of exciting finishes, he is fast becoming a rising star in European MMA. He will face a fellow PFL debutant in Lisbon’s Gustavo Oliveira, a prolific finisher with nine out of 10 victories coming by way of KO/TKO or submission. With his signature flair, and habit of taunting his opponents, the Portuguese fighter always makes for an entertaining fight.
Julien “Boyka” Lopez, France (7-4-1) vs. Jan Ciepłowski, Poland (8-0)
Toulon’s Julien Lopez entered the PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament in 2024 on two days’ notice and won his PFL debut via a first round guillotine choke, showcasing his raw MMA abilities. He is back in 2025 fully prepared to prove he can go all the way and take the title to France. In his way stands Łódź’s undefeated Jan Ciepłowski, at 8-0. Cieplowski’s adaptability makes him an exciting fighter to watch as he seamlessly switches between fight styles. Jan is one of the top Bantamweight prospects in the world and will be one to watch in this tournament.
In 2025, there will be two weight division tournaments represented in PFL Europe, Men’s Lightweight and Men’s Bantamweight, with the 155 lbs tournament due to take place at PFL Europe Belfast on 10 May.
PFL Europe Paris will feature a huge Lightweight bout between Paris’ Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui (22-6) and the undefeated Archie “King” Colgan (11-0) in a fight where a standout performance could lead to Lightweight Championship contention.
The deep card will also feature PFL debutant Taylor “Double Impact” Lapilus (21-4), fresh off his 6-2 record in the UFC, who will go up against 2024 PFL MENA Bantamweight Champion Ali Taleb (12-1).
Also featuring will be Belgian sensation Patrick “The Belgian Bomber” Habirora (6-0) against compatriot Nicolas Di Franco (10-4-1).PFL Europe Paris will be exclusively broadcast on DAZN in France, UK, and Ireland, and is the home of MMA, boxing, European football, women’s football, and the NFL (excl. USA). DAZN is building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading technology, and multi-platform distribution.Full bout listing can be found below:
Updated PFL Europe Paris Card:
The Accor Arena, Paris, FranceDAZN (France) | DAZN (UK & Ireland) Saturday, 24 May
Lightweight Showcase Bout: Mansour Barnaoui (22-6) vs. Archie Colgan (11-0)
Lightweight Showcase Bout: Patrick Habirora (6-0) vs. Nicolas Di Franco (10-4-1)
Bantamweight Showcase Bout: Taylor Lapilus (21-4) vs. Ali Taleb (12-1)
PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament Bout: Mahio Campanella (7-1) vs. Matiss Zaharovs (7-3)
PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament Bout: Dean Garnett vs. Alexander Luster (9-2)
PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament Bout: Anas Azizoun (5-1) vs. Gustavo Oliveira (10-2)
PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament Bout: Julien Lopez (7-4-1) vs. Jan Ciepłowski (8-0)
