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How a humble start, a master’s in psychology, and a passion for coaching shaped one of MMA’s rising grapplers. As the managing editor of Black Belt , I get to sit down with some incredible martial artists. But some interviews linger long after the camera turns off, and my virtual conversation with Natalie Salcedo was definitely  one of those moments. Curiosity Turns Into Passion Let’s rewind the clock.  Natalie’s journey into martial arts didn’t start with visions of the cage—it started with curiosity. “I originally started training Muay Thai as a teenager because a friend was doing it,” she laughed. “It was very recreational, once or twice a week. I just wanted something positive to do with my time.” Life, however, nudged her in unexpected directions. At her small, competitive gym, Natalie found herself jokingly “peer-pressured” into jiu-jitsu. At first, she resisted—after all, striking was her comfort zone. Yet three or four months later, she admitted, “Okay, I kind of like this,” and grappling became her passion. Her days now are a blend of coaching and training—Muay Thai, MMA transitions, timing rounds, technical sparring, and plenty of jiu-jitsu. Training, Coaching, and Growth Coaching has sharpened her own performance in unexpected ways. “Being a coach is really beneficial because it forces you to really look at what people are doing. Like, how can you pick people apart? And obviously in class, it’s for the purpose of helping your students—like, okay, I see your foot’s not turning all the way, I see you’re dropping your hand here, I see your weight’s a little off, and that’s why you’re struggling.”  she explains. Watching and analyzing students’ movements has strengthened her ability to adjust mid-fight, giving her a mental edge that rivals any physical skill. The Mental Edge That edge is amplified by her master’s degree in sports psychology, earned earlier this year, and shaped further by her husband’s military experience in resilience training. “Someone can have all the potential, but then they fall apart—and it’s just because the mindset isn’t there. Especially at the elite level, I really think that’s what separates people.”  she says. Aggression With Intention Her fight style? Aggressive—but intentional. Standing shorter than many partners she works with, Natalie learned to push forward, set the pace, and blend instinct with strategy. For anyone watching her story unfold, she has one key message: “Never be afraid to chase your dreams based on how long it will take. Ten years from now, the time is going to pass anyway. You can either be where you are now, or ten years into your progress.” Natalie Salcedo is a ONE Championship fighter, a coach, a scholar—and a reminder that passion paired with mindset can take you further than you ever imagined. See her in action on One Fight Night 35 , September 5th.

Some dreams find you when you're not looking. For Bampara Kouyate, one Instagram message transformed his entire world, launching the #2 -ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender from the familiar confines of training camps into the glamorous chaos of Milan Fashion Week. Now, he’s splitting time between throwing piercing kicks and striking poses, between “the art of eight limbs” and “the art of high fashion.” On September 5, the French-Malian striker will step into Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium to face Thai knockout artist Shadow Singha Mawynn at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video. For Kouyate, victory could mean a shot at featherweight gold. But win or lose, he'll likely have a photoshoot scheduled for the following week. It's a lifestyle that began almost by accident, born from the same platform that connects fighters with fans worldwide. Social media opened a door Kouyate never knew existed. "I got a DM (direct message) from an agent on Instagram, and I didn't reply because I thought it was a scam. Then I realized this was something real,” the 30-year-old recalled, describing a journey that reads like a modern fairy tale. “He asked me to sign with big agencies around the world, like in Italy, London, New York, Paris. So, I just started like this, and then I went to Milan Fashion Week." From that single Instagram message, Kouyate found himself walking the runways of one of the fashion world’s most prestigious events. But balancing elite-level Muay Thai training with the demands of international modeling has created a lifestyle that would exhaust most people. But not for Kouyate. For him, it's become the rhythm of his life. "It's been completely different and very intense to combine both. A lot of travel, a lot of shootings, training, flights. My life is very intense, but I love it. I really love it, actually, to be active and feel productive," he explained, revealing the mindset that allows him to thrive in such a demanding dual existence. The constant movement between photo studios and training facilities, fashion capitals and fight venues, could easily overwhelm someone less committed to both crafts. Yet Kouyate has found success in each arena, building a modeling portfolio that spans continents while establishing himself as one of ONE Championship's most dangerous strikers with TKO victories over America's Luke Lessei and Thailand's Jo Nattawut. What makes this balancing act possible isn't just physical stamina or time management – it's Kouyate's unique perspective on what connects these seemingly opposite pursuits. "This feeling for me, it's just amazing. To do something that I love, and get money for it — that's just amazing. I'm just very grateful to life, and I love it," he shared, his appreciation evident in every word. But perhaps most revealing is how Kouyate sees the deeper connection between standing in front of cameras and standing across from opponents intent on his destruction. Where others might see contradiction, he sees harmony. "It's extremely different things, but the main part is art. For me, I see the artistic part from fashion and from Muay Thai. For me, it's just art, and I'm an artist," Kouyate offered. Now, as he prepares for his battle with Shadow, Kouyate stands at a crossroads where his dual careers could converge in the most meaningful way. Victory would likely earn him a title shot, potentially making him one of the few people on Earth who could claim to be both a legitimate fashion model and a Muay Thai World Champion. For the man who sees beauty in both fashion and fighting, it's just another day at the office – albeit one that millions will be watching.

Loss has a way of reshaping champions, and for Jackie Buntan, the pain of losing her father has become fuel for her most ambitious goal yet. The ONE Women's Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion will step into the ring at ONE Fight Night 35 this coming Friday, September 5, carrying both the weight of grief and the dream of making history as she battles Austrian striker Stella Hemetsberger for the vacant ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title. It's a quest that takes on deeper meaning following the December 2024 passing of her father, who lost his courageous two-year battle with colon cancer at the age of 64. For the 28-year-old Filipina-American warrior, the upcoming clash at Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium represents more than just another title shot – it's a chance to honor the man who watched her rise from a pre-teen training at Boxing Works in Southern California to becoming a global martial arts superstar. Jackie Punches Wondergirl "My father was dealing with that cancer battle for pretty much two years. Close people around me knew. There's certain parts of my life I don't share. We all do private stuff, but so many people have experienced [losing a loved one]," Buntan reflected, her words carrying the weight of someone who understands that strength often comes through vulnerability. The journey to this moment began when Buntan made her ONE Championship debut in 2021, facing Nat "Wondergirl" Jaroonsak and announcing her arrival with a unanimous decision victory. It was a breakthrough moment that resonated far beyond the ring, especially for her father, who witnessed his daughter's star power reach international heights. "I fought 'Wondergirl,' and that was blowing up everywhere, especially on ABS-CBN, which is a big news channel out in the Philippines. He's like, 'Oh, my God, I saw you on ABS-CBN, this news channel in the Philippines.' That's when he realized: she's a star," Buntan recalled, the memory bringing both pride and pain as she remembers sharing that pivotal moment with him. Since that Muay Thai battle, Buntan has compiled an impressive 7-1 record in ONE Championship, culminating in her stunning victory over legendary striker Anissa Meksen to claim the strawweight kickboxing crown last November. Now, with the Muay Thai belt within reach, she faces the challenge of processing grief while pursuing greatness – a delicate balance that requires the same mental fortitude that makes champions. "Grief is – the best way I can explain it – is it's a trip. It's ongoing, and it comes in different waves. It comes in different emotions and, again, I don't think it's ever going to go away. It comes up randomly at the weirdest times," Buntan shared, offering insight into the reality that lies behind the warrior facade. Buntan Kneels Yet within that pain, she's found a source of strength that transcends the physical demands of elite competition. The memories of her father become both motivation and comfort, reminding her that love endures even when the person is gone. "It hurts to look back at the photos, but I'm grateful that I took them because it reminds me of the good times I had with him, and I'm fortunate enough to have that documented,” Buntan said. “All these memories I have of him are of us laughing, and they're good memories."  As she prepares for the biggest fight of her career, Jackie Buntan carries with her the lessons learned through love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between a father and daughter. In the hallowed halls of Lumpinee Stadium, she'll fight not just for championship gold, but for the memory of the man who always believed she was destined to be a star.

Early Days in Silat Fighters in Southeast Asia have practiced pencak silat for thousands of years, but it didn’t capture the attention of Western martial artists until the late 1980s. Suddenly, the Indonesian system was everywhere, with its vicious counterattacks and precision takedowns attracting self-defense practitioners who wanted the best in street-fighting functionality. As a bonus, it offered a fascinating dose of Asian culture. I had the good fortune of starting my silat training under Dan Inosanto in the early 1980s before it became popular. Several years later, Herman Suwanda, master of the mande muda style, started a class at the Inosanto Academy, which I naturally attended. Inosanto later got me into the backyard bukti negara group operated by Paul deThouars. With those wonderful teachers guiding me along the path, I was in silat heaven. Silat worked very well for me. As one of the original Dog Brothers — I was dubbed “Lucky Dog” — I used the art in the group’s all-out, minimal-protection stick fights. In our style of combat, which was deemed “too extreme” by UFC co-founder Art Davie, I was able to regularly apply foot sweeps and my go-to move, the tarik kepala , or head-tilt takedown. The latter technique proved so effective, in fact, that after some time, a couple of my fellow Dog Brothers asked me to stop using it because they feared someone would get injured. I used silat in stick-fighting tournaments, in a challenge stick match in the Philippines and in two empty-hand challenge matches. When people questioned the effectiveness of the style, my teachers would point to my success as proof that it really worked. All was well in the world of silat. Then came MMA. A Rude Awakening Back in the mid-1990s, MMA was called no-holds-barred fighting. I began training with some of the NHB pioneers — in particular, with Egan and Enson Inoue. The experience proved an eye-opener, to say the least. I couldn’t get my silat to work against athletes who had a strong grappling background. Sure, I wasn’t kicking them in the groin or gouging their eyes, but I had to acknowledge that most of my techniques didn’t function as planned. Example: I couldn’t break my opponent’s posture sufficiently to execute a good sweep or takedown. It was frustrating because I knew firsthand how effective silat takedowns could be. I’d used them against resisting opponents many times, but MMA was a different world. The grappler’s base was just too stable, and I couldn’t do the head tilt because my opponent’s neck was often too strong. To make matters worse, I found that my stance was vulnerable to wrestling takedowns. After months of trial and error — mostly error — I decided to set aside my silat skills. It was a sad and difficult decision, to be sure. I enjoyed being known as a silat fighter, but the truth had to come first. My goal in life was, and still is, to be the most effective martial artist possible and then to pass along my knowledge of functional skill development to my students. Silat wasn’t working, so I had to move on. Different Direction I began investing the majority of my energy in MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu while still maintaining my roots in kali, jeet kune do and muay Thai. The No. 1 lesson I learned during this period was that a person’s training method is paramount. You must contest against a resisting opponent or you’ll never be able to apply your techniques against a real aggressor. This proved so important that I coined a phrase: “If you want to learn how to fight, you must practice fighting against someone who is fighting back.”  The martial arts are that simple. As John Machado, one of my BJJ instructors, says, “No sparring, no miracles.” Ten years later, I was the owner of a BJJ black belt who had coached top fighters for matches in the UFC and other grappling events, but something was missing. Although I’d immersed myself in the fight sports for a decade, it dawned on me that I was neglecting the street-fighting facet of the martial arts. Yes, MMA definitely worked, but when there are no rules governing the combatants, you often need something more. My remedy was to put groin strikes, throat grabs and simulated eye attacks back into my sparring sessions. My partners and I trained with resistance — of course, while keeping safety at the forefront of our workouts. And things changed again. Renewed Recognition While sparring with a longtime training partner, I made a move in the clinch. He countered, and I countered back before flowing into a silat technique. Hmm. A few days later, I found myself in the clinch again. He effected a counter to my arm-drag attempt, and that left him open to a cross-arm trap. Another silat success! An hour before it occurred, I would have told anyone that the cross-arm trap is great for movies but nearly impossible to use against a real fighter — but I had just pulled it off. In subsequent sparring sessions, I got it again with other training partners. What was happening? Analysis: Most silat techniques work well in the clinch. Typically, a pencak practitioner makes a strong entry with a strike and, once his opponent is stunned, moves directly to a takedown. If the strike doesn’t have the desired effect, the silat stylist will remain in the clinch and likely resort to additional striking. Meanwhile, the opponent is striking, as well. If the silat stylist has good clinch-fighting skills, however, he can nullify the strikes while looking for an opportunity to unleash his next blow or set up a throw. The key to all this? Proficiency in the clinch. Supporting Skills To get to the clinch when your opponent is a street fighter who’s throwing wild punches is one thing. To do so safely when your opponent is an MMA fighter is quite another. You need kickboxing skills because a trained mixed martial artist is difficult to approach unless you possess solid strikes and tactics. Because MMA practitioners also are likely to be skilled wrestlers, anyone who intends to use silat as a base should work on takedown defense. It requires lots of experience to deal with the power, suddenness and penetration of a strong wrestler — which is where sparring with a resisting partner comes in. If your aim is to use a silat off-balancing technique in the clinch, you can increase your chance of success by using any number of street tactics. For instance, you can maneuver into position to grab his throat, then lift to make him rise onto his toes. Or you can slap him in the groin to cause him to bend forward — he usually will, even if he’s wearing protection. The best part is, such tactics can be practiced safely in sparring sessions, which is the optimal way to gain experience against an opponent who’s fighting back. Simple Solution Sparring has been removed from most of the silat that’s taught in the West because it was deemed too dangerous for modern society. But MMA is flourishing, and martial artists now have access to protective equipment that enables them to spar safely. Each of my silat instructors engaged in real fights while learning the art in Indonesia, and that experience gave them the ability to apply their knowledge against resisting opponents intent on doing them harm. If you want to be able to use an art like silat in a chaotic situation, you must train in an environment that mimics the street as much as possible, and that’s no-holds-barred fighting. Yes, learning the techniques and then practicing them with precision is important, but training with resistance is even more crucial if your goal is self-defense proficiency. It’s the single best way to make silat — or any other traditional martial art — functional in the MMA era. You need to be able to ensure that your techniques work against a mixed martial artist because nowadays there are lots of people, both good and bad, who have experience in this form of fighting. Photography by Paul Arakaki

ABDOUL ABDOURAGUIMOV TO FACE KEVIN JOUSSET IN PFL EUROPE NANTES MAIN EVENT AT THE ZENITH NANTES METROPOLE ON 26 SEPT Abdoul “Lazy King” Abdouraguimov returns to action in the main event against French compatriot Kevin “Air” Jousset for PFL Europe Nantes at the Zenith Nantes Metropole Bordeaux’s Kevin Jousset will make his PFL debut on Friday 26 September and will look to stop Abdouraguimov from making it ten-straight wins in an elite match-up between two French MMA fighters Tickets for PFL Europe Nantes are on-sale now via pfl.info/nantes The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced Abdoul “Lazy King” Abdouraguimov (19-1) will go up against Kevin “Air” Jousset (10-4) in an all-French Welterweight main event showcase bout at PFL Europe Nantes on Friday 26 September at the Zenith Nantes Metropole, with tickets on-sale now via pfl.info/nantes . Jousset is a 2nd Dan Judo Black Belt and a former two-division champion in Hex Fight Series, lauded for his elite grappling prowess and accomplishments which will prove to give Abdouraguimov one of the biggest challenges in his MMA career to date. “Air” has trained around the world, including City Kickboxing in Auckland under the guidance of acclaimed coach Eugene Bareman, helping build out the judoka’s MMA game who will look to make a statement in Nantes’ first ever major MMA show. Abdouraguimov is currently riding a nine-fight winning streak, and will look to hit double-digits when he performs in his home city of Nantes for the first time ever. Beloved for his wild and enigmatic personality, “Lazy King” sets out to entertain the masses every time he steps onto the canvas. His high-level grappling will be put to the test against the calibre of Jousset’s accolades, but with seven stoppages in his last nine victories, he promises to put on a show in Nantes like never seen before.  Nantes will also be the home of PFL Europe’s semi-final Bantamweight and Lightweight fights of 2025, which will see the continent’s top athletes look to secure their spot in the final in hopes of earning the coveted PFL Europe Championship and a cash prize of $100,000 in Lyon this December. “PFL is coming home! After 21 professional fights, I can finally fight in front of my home crowd, where I grew up and learned this sport. And now, it's at the Zénith Nantes Métropole that I'm going to do the next Lazy show. Grab a seat, some popcorn, and be good, but not too much, because I'm here to entertain you on September 26th, let's go!”. Said Abdoul Abdouraguimov . “Nantes. His backyard. My moment. On September 26th, I silence the crowd and win big in my PFL debut.” Said Kevin Jousset .   Updated PFL Europe Nantes Card Friday 26 Sept - The Zenith Nantes Metropole, Nantes, France Welterweight Main Event: Abdoul Abdouraguimov (19-1) vs. Kevin Jousset (10-4) PFL Europe Bantamweight Semi-Finals Bout: Mahio Campanella (8-1) vs. Gustavo Oliveira (11-2) PFL Europe Lightweight Semi-Finals Bout: Connor Hughes (11-2) vs. Gino van Steenis (6-1) PFL Europe Bantamweight Semi-Finals Bout: Dean Garnett (13-3-1) vs. Jan Ciepłowski (9-0) PFL Europe Lightweight Semi-Finals Bout: Claudio Pacella (6-2) vs. Aleksandr Chizov (11-3)

Archie Colgan Puts Undefeated Record on the Line Against New Zealand’s Jay-Jay Wilson 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Champion Lewis McGrillen Faces Ireland’s Caolan Loughran in PFL Debut Former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion Sergio Pettis Set to Fight Bellator Title Challenger Magomed Magomedov The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced three new bouts that complete the main card of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai - The Rematch on Friday, October 3, live from Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Tickets for the event are on-sale now via this link .  At Lightweight, undefeated Archie Colgan (12-0) will face Jay-Jay Wilson (11-1) in a fight that will have serious future title implications at 155-pounds. The 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Champion Lewis McGrillen (12-1) will be in action against a PFL debutant, when Ireland’s Caolan Loughran (10-2) enters the SmartCage for the first time in his career. The first bout of the evening will feature Russia’s Magomed Magomedov (21-4) against former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion Sergio Pettis (24-7), in another bout that will directly affect the future championship landscape. These three newly announced bouts round out a stacked main card headlined by a championship double-header. In the main event, Dagestan’s undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov (19-0, 1 NC) faces Ireland’s Paul Hughes (14-2) in the biggest rematch in PFL history for the Lightweight World Title. The co-main event sees former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Corey Anderson (19-6) take on 2024 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1) with the PFL Light Heavyweight World Title on the line. This event further cements Dubai’s evolving role as a global MMA hub. It’s made possible through PFL’s multi-year partnership with the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Since its official launch in November 2024, the “Road to Dubai” campaign has brought a series of PFL global MMA events to the UAE, positioning the region as a centerpiece for elite combat sports. While the Road to Dubai Finale is scheduled for January, this October event is an additional showcase, designed to build momentum and further engage fans ahead of the finale. Archie Colgan (12-0) vs. Jay-Jay Wilson (11-1) - Lightweight Main Card Bout Undefeated standout Archie “King” Colgan brings elite Division I wrestling pedigree, Wyoming’s first-ever champion at 157 pounds, into a spotless record highlighted by wins over Mansour Barnaoui, Emmanuel Sanchez, Thibault Gouti, and Manoel Sousa. Across the cage, New Zealand’s Jay-Jay “The Maori Kid” Wilson, a BJJ black belt with a 9-1 record in Bellator, is fresh off an emphatic finish of Mads Burnell in April. With both men closing in on Lightweight gold, this clash promises high stakes and high drama. Lewis McGrillen (12-1) vs. Caolan Loughran (10-2) - Bantamweight Main Card Bout Lewis “The McGrizzla” McGrillen arrives in Dubai on October 3 riding a scorching streak, three consecutive highlight-reel finishes, a 2024 “Fight of the Year” thriller against Dean Garnett, and the PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship around his waist. With 10 of his 11 victories coming by finish, his knockout power is a difference maker. Opposite him, Caolan “The Don” Loughran enters his PFL debut fresh off a UFC win. The former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion is renowned for his relentless pace, forward pressure, and durability, setting the stage for a clash of European talent. Magomed Magomedov (21-4) vs. Sergio Pettis (24-7) - Bantamweight Main Card Bout Russia’s Magomed Magomedov, the first man to defeat former UFC champion Petr Yan, arrives in Dubai as a former ACB bantamweight titleholder with a résumé built on precision grappling and elite finishes. He has guillotined top contenders like Enrique Barzola and Danny Sabatello, pushed Patchy Mix the full five rounds for Bellator gold, and most recently earned a 2025 PFL victory over Sarvarjon Khamidov. Across from him stands former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion Sergio Pettis, who delivered the 2021 “Knockout of the Year” with a spinning-backfist finish of Kyoji Horiguchi before defending his crown in a masterclass against Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. This matchup has all the makings of a high-level chess match and will likely determine the path for the PFL Bantamweight World Title.     PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai - The Rematch Main Card Friday, Oct. 3 PFL Lightweight World Title Main Event: Usman Nurmagomedov (19-0, 1 NC) vs. Paul Hughes (14-2) PFL Light Heavyweight World Title Co-Main Event: Corey Anderson (19-6) vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1)  Lightweight Main Card Bout: Archie Colgan (12-0) vs. Jay-Jay Wilson (11-1) Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Lewis McGrillen (12-1) vs. Caolan Loughran (10-2) Bantamweight Main Card Bout: Magomed Magomedov (21-4) vs. Sergio Pettis (24-7) Early Card Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Pouya Rahmani (4-0) vs. Slim Trabelsi (8-0) 165-Pound Catchweight Bout: Zubaira Tukhugov (20-6-1) vs. Artem Lobov (14-15-1) Welterweight Showcase Bout: Omar El Dafrawy (14-5) vs. Florim Zendeli (10-1-1)

TWO WORLD TITLE FIGHTS HEADLINE PFL’S RETURN TO DUBAI ON OCT. 3 USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV VS. PAUL HUGHES FOR THE PFL LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE COREY ANDERSON VS. DOVLET YAGSHIMURADOV FOR PFL LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE PFL CHAMPIONS SERIES: ROAD TO DUBAI - THE REMATCH TAKES PLACE FRIDAY, OCT. 3 AT COCA-COLA ARENA IN DUBAI The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced a massive championship double-header for its return to the UAE, as two PFL World Title bouts will headline PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai - The Rematch on Friday, October 3, live from Coca-Cola Arena. The biggest rematch in PFL history takes center stage in Dubai, as Dagestan’s undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov (19‑0, 1 NC) and Ireland’s Paul Hughes (14‑2) battle for the PFL Lightweight World Title in the main event. In the co-main event, former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Corey Anderson (19-6) will face 2024 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament Champion Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1) for the PFL Light Heavyweight World Title.  In addition, three early card bouts have been confirmed, including a Heavyweight clash between former Iranian National Team wrestler Pouya Rahmani (4-0) and former Tunisian Olympic wrestler Slim Trabelsi (8-0), with both fighters looking to preserve their undefeated records. A grudge match nearly seven years in the making is officially set, as Zubaira Tukhugov (20-6-1) finally faces Artem Lobov (14-15-1) in Dubai. Originally booked to fight in 2018, the matchup was scrapped following the UFC 229 post-fight brawl and subsequent suspensions. On October 3, the two will finally settle their score inside the PFL SmartCage. 2024 PFL MENA Welterweight Champion Omar El Dafrawy (14-5) of Egypt will fight 2024 PFL Europe Welterweight Champion Florim Zendeli (10-1-1) of Albania in a battle of two PFL Regional Tournament winners who are both in the midst of multi-fight unbeaten streaks. Additional main card and early card bouts will be announced shortly. Fans can register now for the pre-sale to exclusively buy tickets on Thursday, 14 August at 4:00 pm GST via this link . The pre-sale will be available for registered fans before the general sale on Friday, 15 August at 12:00 pm GST via www.coca-cola-arena.com . This event further cements Dubai’s evolving role as a global MMA hub. It’s made possible through PFL’s multi-year partnership with the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Since its official launch in November 2024, the “Road to Dubai” campaign has brought a series of PFL global MMA events to the UAE, positioning the region as a centerpiece for elite combat sports. While the Road to Dubai Finale is scheduled for January, this October event is an additional showcase, designed to build momentum and further engage fans ahead of the finale.  “PFL Champions Series on October 3 in Dubai will be one of the biggest nights in PFL history,” said PFL CEO John Martin . “To have two PFL World Titles on the line, featuring four world-class athletes at the top of their game, shows exactly what makes the PFL different. This is more than just a fight card, it’s a global showcase of elite talent, compelling narratives, and the power of our international platform. Dubai is quickly becoming one of the sport’s true capitals, and there’s no better setting for a night of championship-level drama and the biggest rematch in PFL history.”

PFL EUROPE BRUSSELS FULL CARD RELEASED FOR 5 JULY AT THE ING ARENA Patrick “The Belgian Bomber” Habirora will make his first ever headline bout for PFL as he faces his toughest challenge yet in English veteran Danny “Hot Chocolate” Roberts who aims to make a statement in his PFL debut The final addition to the PFL Europe Brussels card is the undefeated Belgian prospect Movsar Ibragimov, who will make his PFL debut against the Netherlands’ Gerardo Fanny The first round of the 2025 PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament will take place on the card featuring eight athletes from six different European countries Tickets for PFL Europe Brussels are on-sale here , with the event available in Belgium, France, UK & Ireland exclusively on DAZN, and exclusively in the US on the PFL app The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has released the final fight card ahead of PFL Europe Brussels on 5 July at The ING Arena, with all bouts now confirmed for fight night. Remaining tickets are available here . PFL Europe Brussels Card: ING Arena, Brussels, BelgiumDAZN (Belgium, France, UK & Ireland)  | PFL app (US)Saturday, 5 July  PFL Europe Welterweight Main Event Showcase Bout: Patrick Habirora (6-0) vs. Danny Roberts (18-8) PFL Europe Bantamweight Co-Main Event Showcase Bout: Taylor Lapilus (21-4) vs. Ali Taleb (12-1) PFL Europe Featherweight Showcase Bout: Gaetano Pirrello (16-7-1) vs. Salvatore Liga (5-0) PFL Europe Light Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Boris Mbarga Atangana (5-0) vs. Bruno Santos (3-3) PFL Europe Welterweight Showcase Bout: Khamzat Abaev (5-0) vs. Chequina Noso Pedro (9-4) PFL Europe Bantamweight Showcase Bout: Movsar Ibragimov (6-0) vs. Gerardo Fanny (14-5) PFL Europe Featherweight Showcase Bout: Ibragim Ibragimov (9-0) vs. Mathys Duragrin (5-0) PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament Bout: Dean Garnett (12-3-1) vs. Toumas Grönvall (12-8-1)* PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament Bout: Mahio Campanella (7-1) vs. Matiss Zaharovs (7-3) PFL Europe Lightweight Showcase Bout: Nicolas Di Franco (10-4-1) vs. Catalin Safta (6-3) 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) PFL Europe Women’s Flyweight Showcase Bout: Paulina Wiśniewska (5-0) vs. Jessica Cunha (9-4) PFL Europe Featherweight Showcase Bout: Adam Meskini (9-3) vs. Tiziano Ferranti (10-1) PFL Europe Bantamweight Showcase Bout: Fahdi Khaled (2-0) vs. Levi Batchelor (2-0) PFL Europe Welterweight Showcase Bout: Salvo Giudice (1-0) vs. Brice Belghazi (1-1) * Alex Luster is forced to withdraw from the PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament due to injury. Dean Garnett will now face Finland’s Tuomas “The Tank Engine” Grönvall (12-8-1), a relentless grappler who always pushes the pace, and will now look to seize the opportunity at the ING Arena on 5 July. Following popular demand, Movsar Ibragimov (6-0) becomes the final Belgian to be added to the already stacked PFL Europe Brussels card on 5 July. The 2022 IMMAF Bantamweight Champion and a decorated amateur, Ibragimov has gone from strength to strength since turning professional, finishing all six of his opponents, five of them in the very first round. He will face the Dutchman Gerardo Fanny (14-5), a former National Champion in Belgian promotion Strength & Honour Championship. With 12 of his 14 wins coming via finish, he’s known on the European circuit for his devastating striking and aggression, who’s coming to upset the Belgian crowd with a victory.  The historic evening of European mixed martial arts will be headlined by Belgium’s own Patrick “The Belgian Bomber” Habirora (6-0), who will make his first walk to the SmartCage as the main event in a Welterweight Showcase bout when he goes up against England’s highly skilled veteran Danny “Hot Chocolate” Roberts (18-8) in his PFL debut.  Habirora boasts a flawless record, with five of his six victories coming by way of KO/TKO, thanks to a devastating striking skillset which has fueled the Belgian’s rapid rise and made him a fan favourite. The shining star hailing from Team Sendo in Brussels will meet the 14-UFC fight seasoned star Danny Roberts, whose decorated career with a total of 13 career finishes will make him Habirora’s most experienced and dangerous opponent to date, and looks to take the Belgian to places he’s never been inside the SmartCage. In the co-main event will be the new PFL signing Taylor "Double Impact" Lapilus (21-4), whose recent run of dominance with eight wins in his last nine fights has made him a true phenom in the Bantamweight division. He will go up against the 2024 PFL MENA Bantamweight Champion Ali Taleb (12-1), a fighter with ferocious knockout power and only one loss in his professional career, which will prove to be a true clash of the world’s best at 135 lbs.  Also on the card will be the first round of the PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament, featuring athletes from six different countries looking to start their path towards the Championship and $100,000.  PFL Europe Brussels will be exclusively broadcast on DAZN in Belgium, France, the UK & Ireland, 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.

PFL Cape Town takes place on Saturday, July 19th at the Grand Arena, GrandWest Tickets on Sale Now via Ticketpro here The Professional Fighters League (PFL) held an open workout ahead of the debut of the inaugural season of PFL Africa, which is set to take place on Saturday, July 19th at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town, South Africa. The open workout took place at the Champions Academy RDC Gym in Kinshasa, Congo, and featured Nigeria’s Juliet Ukah and South Africa’s Ceileigh Niedermayr . The two PFL Africa stars will face off in a Showcase Women’s Strawweight bout at PFL Cape Town. In front of the fans and media in attendance, Ukah and Niedermayr showcased their skills in a public training session before facing off for the first time ahead of their highly anticipated showdown. Juliet Ukah said:“I’m very happy to be on the first PFL Africa card, and my fight with Ceileigh is going to be an exciting one. We’re going to be representing the two biggest MMA nations in Africa, and we want to help put African MMA in the global spotlight. Compared to her, I think I’m the more experienced fighter and the better striker, so I’m comfortable wherever the fight goes. I expect to get the finish, but I don't mind going to a third round if needed. Ceileigh, let’s bring out the best in each other and show the world how well African women can fight!” Ceileigh Niedermayr said:“It’s truly an honor to be part of the first-ever women’s fight in PFL Africa. This fight camp isn’t just about preparing for my next opponent — it’s a reflection of my lifelong dedication to martial arts. I’m always pushing myself to grow, to evolve, and to become the best fighter I can be.” “On fight night, I’m bringing a new level of Smiley Savagery to the SmartCage. I have a lot of respect for Juliet as a fighter, and I welcome the chance to test myself against her, but I don’t think she’s ever faced anyone like me. I’m expecting an exciting, high-level battle — and I’m ready for it.” The historic PFL Cape Town event will kick off the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament, featuring First Round matchups in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions. The event will also be headlined by five must-see PFL Champions Series bouts, including a Middleweight World Championship main event between titleholder Johnny “Pressure” Eblen (16-0) and challenger Costello “The Spaniard” van Steenis (16-3). Tickets for the event are on sale now via Ticketpro. PFL Cape Town begins at 4:30 PM SAST / 10:30 AM EST with the PFL Africa Tournament, followed by the PFL Champions Series, which begins at 8:30 PM SAST / 2:30 PM EST. A U.S. broadcast partner will be announced shortly.

ONE Championship (ONE), the world’s largest martial arts organization, today announced the first two matchups for ONE 173, the promotion's blockbuster return to the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, November 16. The announcements were made during a press conference at Spiral Hall in Tokyo earlier this afternoon. In the main event, an undisputed ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion will be crowned when reigning king Superbon  squares off against interim titleholder Masaaki Noiri  in a highly anticipated World Title unification bout. Noiri captured the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Title with a stunning knockout victory over Tawanchai PK Saenchai at ONE 172 this past March, setting the stage for this showdown with Superbon. In the co-main event, undisputed ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane  will defend his gold against former titleholder Anatoly Malykhin  in a highly anticipated rematch. “Reug Reug” scored a historic upset in their November 2024 meeting at ONE 169, becoming the first-ever MMA World Champion from Senegal and handing Malykhin the only defeat of his professional career. Still ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Champion, the Russian is now seeking redemption, while Kane is eager to cement his legacy and close the door on this heavyweight rivalry.  ONE 173 will emanate live from the Ariake Arena on November 16, with global broadcast details being announced at a later date. Pre-sale tickets will be available tonight beginning at 7 p.m. JST via ePlus . Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. JST on Saturday, July 5. Additional marquee bouts for ONE 173 will be announced in the near future.

Lightweights Gadzhi Rabadanov and Alfie Davis Advance to World Tournament Finals Bantamweights Marcirley Alves and Justin Wetzell Advance to World Tournament Finals Women’s Flyweights Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop Advance to World Tournament Finals The PFL Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight & Middleweight Semifinals Begin Friday, June 27 on ESPN & ESPN+ at Wintrust Arena in Chicago The Semifinals of the 2025 PFL World Tournament rolled on tonight at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, with finalists in the Lightweight, Bantamweight and Women’s Flyweight divisions officially punching their tickets to August's Finals. In the Lightweight Finals, England’s Alfie Davis (19-5-1) will challenge 2024 PFL Lightweight Champion Gadzhi Rabadanov (26-4-2) for the 2025 PFL World Tournament title. At 135 pounds, Justin Wetzell (12-2), riding a five-fight win streak, will square off against Brazil’s Marcirley Alves (14-4) in the Bantamweight Finals to determine this year’s tournament champion.In the Women’s Flyweight Finals, elite jiu-jitsu specialist Jena Bishop (9-2) will go head-to-head with former Bellator Champion Liz Carmouche (24-8), with the winner claiming the 2025 PFL World Tournament crown. The main event showcased 2024 PFL Lightweight Champion Gadzhi Rabadanov against PFL debutant Kevin Lee (20-9), with a spot in the 2025 PFL Lightweight World Tournament Finals on the line. Rabadanov delivered a dominant performance from the opening bell, displaying surgical precision and relentless pressure. Methodically stalking his opponent, he picked his shots with composure and power, ultimately overwhelming Lee, who collapsed face-first before the end of the first round.The co-main event featured former Bellator Women’s Flyweight Champion Liz Carmouche taking on the undefeated Elora Dana (8-1) for a spot in the PFL World Tournament Finals. Carmouche came out aggressively, looking for an early knockout, but Dana managed a takedown—only for Carmouche to reverse the position using the momentum to land on top. From there, Carmouche unleashed a barrage of elbows, opening a massive hematoma on Dana’s forehead. The remainder of the fight played out largely on the feet, with Carmouche staying in control and ultimately earning a unanimous decision victory—handing Dana the first loss of her professional career.France’s Mansour Barnaoui (22-7) faced off against Colorado’s undefeated wrestling standout Archie Colgan (12-0) in a high-stakes Lightweight matchup. The opening round delivered a bit of everything—back-and-forth exchanges, vicious knees in the clinch, and multiple takedowns. In the second, Colgan leaned into his wrestling pedigree, applying relentless pressure. But the 29-fight veteran Barnaoui weathered the storm and turned the tide momentarily with a perfectly timed punch that clipped Colgan. Ultimately, Colgan’s dominant top control and relentless pace proved decisive, earning him a clear unanimous decision and moving him one step closer to a Lightweight Title shot.Marcirley Alves opened the contest with a dominant striking performance, inflicting significant damage on his opponent, Jake Hadley (12-4), early in the fight. By the second round, Hadley was visibly showing the effects, at one point even losing his footing under pressure. The third round continued in the same fashion, with Alves amassing a staggering 187 total strikes compared to just 18 from Hadley.Former Bellator Champion Brent Primus (16-4) squared off against longtime Bellator veteran Alfie Davis in the first Lightweight Semifinal. Both fighters had their moments in the grappling exchanges, but it was in the second round that striking took center stage. Davis showcased his unorthodox style, using range and precision to land significant damage. Although Primus secured a key takedown in the third round, it was “The Axe Man’s” explosive striking that ultimately made the difference, earning him a hard-fought decision victory.Kicking off the main card, Bantamweights Justin Wetzell and Mando Gutierrez (11-4) finally settled their long-standing rivalry inside the SmartCage, after multiple near matchups on the regional circuit. Following a brief feeling-out period, Wetzell took control with superior grappling, maintaining dominant top position for much of the fight. Gutierrez was unable to shift the momentum, ultimately falling by unanimous decision. The 2025 PFL World Tournament continues on Friday, June 27, with the Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight and Middleweight Semi Finalists competing live on ESPN, ESPN+ and DAZN. The Early Card begins at 8:30 pm EST, with the Main Card kicking off at 10:30 pm EST.   2025 PFL World Tournament Wichita: Semifinals Main Card Results: Gadzhi Rabadanov (26-4-2) def. Kevin Lee (20-9) via TKO at 2:37 round one Liz Carmouche (24-8) def. Elora Dana (8-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Archie Colgan (12-0) def. Mansour Barnaoui (22-7) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Marcirley Alves (14-4) def. Jake Hadley (12-5) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 20-26) Alfie Davis (19-5-1) def. Brent Primus (16-5) via unanimous decision ((29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Justin Wetzell (12-2) def. Mando Gutierrez (11-4) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)   2025 PFL World Tournament Wichita: Semifinals Early Card Results: Jena Bishop (9-2) def. Ekaterina Shakalova (9-3) via submission (rear-naked choke)  Magomed Magomedov (21-4) def. Savarjon Khamidov (16-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Vinicius Cenci (9-3) def. Antonio Caruso (10-3) via submission (triangle choke) at 1:43 of round one Darragh Kelly (8-0) def. Mike Hamel (11-7) via submission (neck crank) at 3:09 of round three Ilara Joanne (13-10) def. Saray Orozco (8-7) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Nick Meck (9-2) def. Alan Domingues (11-7) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:10 of round one Upcoming 2025 PFL World Tournament Schedule: 2025 PFL World Tournament: Semifinals - June 27 - Wintrust Arena, Chicago 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals - August 1 - Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals - August 15 - Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, NC 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals - August 21 - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida

Welterweights Thad Jean and Logan Storley Advance to World Tournament Finals Featherweights Jesus Pinedo and Movlid Khaybulaev Advance to World Tournament Finals The PFL Lightweight, Women’s Flyweight & Bantamweight Semifinals Begin Friday, June 20 on ESPN & ESPN+ at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita The Semifinals of the 2025 PFL World Tournament kicked off tonight at Nashville Municipal Auditorium, with finalists in both the Welterweight and Featherweight divisions officially punching their tickets to August's Finals. In the Welterweight Finals, undefeated Thad Jean (10-0) will face former Bellator Champion Logan Storley (18-3) to crown the 2025 PFL World Tournament Welterweight Champion.In the 145-pound Finals, 2023 PFL Featherweight Champion Jesus Pinedo (25-6-1) will face 2021 PFL Featherweight Champion Movlid Khaybulaev (23-0-1) to crown the 2025 PFL World Tournament Featherweight Champion. The main event featured a long-anticipated showdown between heated rivals Jason Jackson (19-6) and Thad Jean. “The Silverback” stunned Jackson early with a knockdown, but the next two rounds were tightly contested. “The Ass-Kicking Machine” secured key takedowns, while Jean kept landing sharp, effective strikes. The judges’ scorecards reflected the razor-thin battle, with two out of three awarding the fight to Jean, who now advances to face Jackson’s teammate, Logan Storley. The co-main event showcased the trilogy bout between longtime PFL rivals Jesus Pinedo (25-6) and Gabriel Braga (16-3). Just like their 2023 encounter, the “Pride of Peru” delivered a decisive finish. A perfectly timed right hand dropped Braga, and “El Mudo” wasted no time, sealing his spot in the Finals this August. Former Bellator Champion Logan Storley stepped into the SmartCage on Thursday with clear intent, nearly finishing Masayuki Kikuiri (11-3-1) in the first round with ground-and-pound. While Kikuiri survived the early onslaught, he had no answer for Storley’s dominant wrestling, as Storley earned a clear-cut unanimous decision victory. Kicking off the main card, 2021 PFL Featherweight Champion Movlid Khaybulaev faced South Korea’s Taekyun Kim (11-2) in a Welterweight Semifinal showdown. The bout went the distance, with Khaybulaev relying on his elite grappling to secure the win and book his spot in the Finals, extending his undefeated streak to 23 fights. The 2025 PFL World Tournament continues on Friday, June 20, with the Lightweight, Women’s Flyweight & Bantamweight Semifinalists competing live on ESPN, ESPN+ and DAZN.   2025 PFL World Tournament 5: Semifinals Main Card Results: Thad Jean (10-0) def. Jason Jackson (19-6) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) Jesus Pinedo (25-6-1) def. Gabriel Braga (16-3) via KO (punches) at 1:16 of round one Logan Storley (18-3) def. Masayuki Kikuiri (11-3-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-28) Movlid Khaybulaev (23-0-1) def. Taekyun Kim (11-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)   2025 PFL World Tournament 5: Semifinals Early Card Results: Adam Borics (20-3) def. Jeremy Kennedy (19-7) via majority decision (29-28, 28-28, 29-28) Magomed Umalatov (18-1) def. Anthony Ivy (15-8) via KO (punch) at 2:28 of round one  Sarek Shields (7-2) def. Joseph Luciano (10-4) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Kendly St. Louis (11-2) def. Mukhamed Berkhamov (17-4) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:21 of round three Alexei Pergande (6-0) def. Mike Bardsley (5-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Jason Danner (3-0) def. Nathan Gilmore (4-6) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)   Upcoming 2025 PFL World Tournament Schedule: 2025 PFL World Tournament 6: Semifinals - June 20 - INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita 2025 PFL World Tournament 7: Semifinals - June 27 - Wintrust Arena, Chicago 2025 PFL World Tournament 8: Finals - August 1 - Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ 2025 PFL World Tournament 9: Finals - August 15 - Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, NC 2025 PFL World Tournament 10: Finals - August 21 - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida .