Heavyweights and ladies are back to draw a close to the regular season.
PFL has an odd one for us this week, with heavyweights, women’s lightweights and some extra bouts set to shut the door on the regular season, and it’s win or go home for a good chunk of the people on this card.
But first, we have to talk about this main event.
Now don’t worry, we don’t have to talk about this too much. Talented grappler Cindy Dandois (16-6) is set to face the seemingly-unstoppable Judo Olympian and former PFL champ Kayla Harrison (9-0). As much as Harrison is far and beyond the best fighter in this division, the deck is hilariously stacked against Dandois here. Her submission game can bail her out only if she’s capable of establishing control, but that’s a tall order when you’re dealing with a superathlete like Harrison. This fight didn’t have to get booked, but it seems Cindy got chosen to be the sacrificial lamb here. She may dispute it and look to get a win regardless, but yikes. Big yikes.
Co-main event honors go to Anthony Pettis (24-11) meeting Raush Manfio (12-3). Manfio’s a promising prospect that can give Pettis some fits and realistically take this one, and Pettis has to feel like he’s behind the 8-ball here after his crushing loss to Clay Collard earlier this year. Pettis would need a finish to even sniff the possibility of clinching a playoff spot here, and it’ll be tough to do against a hungry up and comer like Manfio.
Another fighter in a dire position is former champ Lance Palmer (22-4). Suffering his first loss since 2017, he fell short in a decision against a revitalized Bubba Jenkins. Now Palmher has a shot at redemption against Movlid Khaybulaev (16-0, 1 draw), whom you may remember as the guy that landed that viral knee knockout over Damon Jackson back in 2019. Palmer will also need a finish to get to the playoff stage to keep his year alive, and much like Pettis, he will not have an easy road to get there.
Russian talent Denis Goltsov (26-6) will meet the far less experienced yet very tough Brandon Sayles (6-1) at heavyweight, while Larissa Pacheco (14-4) should be a reasonable favorite against Helena Kolesnyk (5-3).
Former Invicta matchmaker and talent Kaitlin Young (12-10, 1 draw) should also be expected to have some success against Brazilian Mariana Moraes (16-11). Renan Ferreira (6-2, 1 no contest) tried it against Fabricio Werdum, but now faces a deficit and will struggle to work is way to the playoffs against heavy hitter Carl Seumanutafa (12-12).
You can check out the weigh-ins here:
Full card is as follows:
Kayla Harrison (156) vs. Cindy Dandois (152) – Lightweight
Anthony Pettis (156) vs. Raush Manfio (156) – Lightweight
Lance Palmer (146) vs. Movlid Khaybulaev (145.4) – Featherweight
Denis Goltsov (246.6) vs. Brandon Sayles (264.4) – Heavyweight
Bruno Cappelozza (233.4) vs. Muhammed Dereese (254.2) – Heavyweight
Larissa Pacheco (156) vs. Olena Kolesnyk (157.6)* – Lightweight
Ante Delija (239.2) vs. Chandler Cole (262) – Heavyweight
Genah Fabian(155.6) vs. Julija Pajic (156) Lightweight
Renan Ferreira (251) vs. Carl Seumanutafa (260) – Heavyweight
Taylor Guardado (155) vs. Laura Sanchez (155.2) – Lightweight
Kaitlin Young (155.6) vs. Mariana Morais (154.2) – Lightweight
Klidson Abreu(258) vs. Jamelle Jones (245) – Heavyweight
Prelims for PFL #6 start at 6:00pm on ESPN+, with the main card being simulcast on ESPN+ and ESPN2