The Professional Fighters League’s 2025 World Tournament continues its electrifying first round Thursday night at Universal Studios Florida, and following Wednesday’s official weigh-ins, every athlete is cleared to compete. The spotlight falls on the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions, where former champions and surging contenders will battle for a coveted spot in the semifinals.
Main Event: Champion vs. Champion
The main event features a high-stakes collision between two decorated veterans: 2022 PFL Light Heavyweight World Champion Rob Wilkinson (19-3-0, 1 NC) and former Bellator World Champion Phil Davis (24-7-0, 1 NC). Both men tipped the scales at 206 pounds, signaling a level playing field for this anticipated clash. Wilkinson, looking to reclaim his PFL dominance after a turbulent 2024, faces Davis in his PFL debut, a matchup that promises world-class grappling and tactical warfare.
Phil Davis didn’t blink. Rob Wilkinson didn’t back down.
A main event with everything on the line.#PFLWorldTournament pic.twitter.com/t6rYiNuJhO
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 30, 2025
Co-Main Event: Heavyweight Powerhouses Collide
In the co-main slot, former Bellator interim heavyweight champion Valentin Moldavsky (236.8 lbs) returns to action against the surging Sergey Bilostenniy (240.8 lbs). Both men made weight without issue, setting up a pivotal quarterfinal bout that could shake up the heavyweight tournament landscape. Moldavsky, a protégé of Fedor Emelianenko, brings a wealth of experience, while Bilostenniy looks to make a statement on the big stage.
⚖️ #PFLWorldTournament 4 Weighs In
Valentin Moldavsky: 236.8 lbs
[ #PFLWorldTournament | Thursday , May 1st | 📺 10PM EST | ESPN 2 ] pic.twitter.com/edr3EyKS4H
Sergey Bilostenniy: 240.8 lbs— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 30, 2025
Main Card Rundown: Former Champions and Rising Stars
The main card, airing live on ESPN2 and ESPN+ at 10:00 pm ET, is stacked with talent:
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Light Heavyweight: Phil Davis (206 lbs) vs. Rob Wilkinson (206 lbs)
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Heavyweight: Valentin Moldavsky (236.8 lbs) vs. Sergey Bilostenniy (240.8 lbs)
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Light Heavyweight: Antonio Carlos Jr (205.6 lbs) vs. Karl Moore (205.8 lbs)
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Light Heavyweight: Karl Albrektsson (204.8 lbs) vs. Simeon Powell (206 lbs)
Antonio Carlos Jr, the 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight World Champion, faces former Bellator title challenger Karl Moore in a classic Brazil vs. Ireland showdown. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Karl Albrektsson and England’s Simeon Powell round out the main card with a compelling stylistic matchup.
Early Card: Heavyweight Depth on Display
The early card, beginning at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN+ and DAZN, showcases the tournament’s heavyweight depth:
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Heavyweight: Alexandr Romanov (264.2 lbs) vs. Tim Johnson (264.6 lbs)
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Heavyweight: Oleg Popov (249.2 lbs) vs. Karl Williams (259 lbs)
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Light Heavyweight: Sullivan Cauley (205.6 lbs) vs. Marcelo Nunes (205.6 lbs)
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Heavyweight: Rodrigo Nascimento (256.6 lbs) vs. Abraham Bably (248.4 lbs)
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Light Heavyweight Alternate: Alex Polizzi (204.2 lbs) vs. Rafael Xavier (205.2 lbs)
All 18 fighters hit their contracted marks, ensuring a full slate of quarterfinal action and alternate bouts. The stakes are clear: win and advance, with a shot at the PFL’s $500,000 prize and a place in MMA history.
