PFL has released the lineup for its first middleweight tournament in over five years.
Middleweight was featured in PFL’s first-ever season back in 2018, but in the following years was substituted for other weight classes. Now many years later, the 185-pound class is set to return as the promotion expands their year-long tournament system and adjusts it to a single-elimination style.
The bracket includes many names from PFL’s recent light heavyweight tournaments, a few Bellator vets, plus a fighter who appeared in the 2018 middleweight bracket.
The upcoming tour will feature Impa Kasanganay, Mike Shipman, Fabian Edwards, Aaron Jeffery, Josh Silveira, Sadibou Sy, Murad Ramazanov, and Dalton Rosta.
Here’s a breakdown of each fighter:
Impa Kasanganay: One of two former PFL champions returning this year. The former UFC talent won a light heavyweight title in his first PFL season, defeating Josh Silveira in the 2023 grand finals. He once again made it to the finals in 2024, but came up short against Dovlet Yagshimuradov, suffering his first finish loss since 2021.
Sadibou Sy: Swedish fighter Sy has fought in every single PFL season since its tournament launch in 2018, including the previous sole middleweight year. The 2022 champ didn’t make it past the light heavyweight regular season last year despite earning a third-round finish win against ex-UFC talent Andrew Sanchez. Sy’s other season appearance was a first-round loss due to a thumb injury.
Josh Silveira: Returning for his fourth PFL season, Silveira will be hunting for his first tournament title as he comes down from the 205-pound limit. He has made the playoffs three times and even appeared in the 2023 finals, but has fallen short against past UFC names Impa Kasanganay and Omari Akhmedov. He could have the opportunity to rematch the former of those two names in the upcoming bracket.
Murad Ramazanov: Former ONE Championship stand-out who suffered back-to-back losses against Shamil Musaev last year. With Musaev not involved in the 185-pound season, Ramazanov could turn things around with the upcoming bracket.
Fabian Edwards: One of the many fighters in the current lineup who is officially crossing over from Bellator to PFL programming this year. Edwards has been a notable name in Bellator’s middleweight division, with numerous wins earning him title shots against Johnny Eblen in 2023 and 2024.
Mike Shipman: England’s Shipman, a Bellator fighter since 2016, enters his first-ever PFL tournament after attaining a three-fight winning streak. His most recent fight was a second-round stoppage win over Eslam Abdul Baset in September.
Aaron Jeffery: A six-fight Bellator vet coming over to a PFL competition for the first time. Has past wins over Austin Vanderford, Douglas Lima, and Andre Petroski. Could have potential rematches against Fabian Edwards and Dalton Rosta in the upcoming bracket.
Dalton Rosta: A prospect who has been developed on Bellator cards since his 2019 pro debut. Bounced back from his sole pro loss last June, getting past Norbert Novenyi Jr. in a majority decision.
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