Not all fighters are created the same, as we saw in living colour at the final faceoffs ahead of the PFL Champs vs. Bellator Champs event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Friday saw the official weigh-ins for the event, which will feature a pair of champion-versus-champion matchups at the top of a stacked fight card.
Headlining the show is a battle between 2023 PFL heavyweight champion and Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader and, after the pair had weighed in for their matchup, the duo went head to head in a faceoff that highlighted the stark contrast in size between the two.
PFL
Ferreira, who weighed in at 263.2 pounds, compared to Bader’s 231.1 and, in addition to the 32-pound weight difference, “La Problema” also showcased his immense size, with the six-foot-nine Brazilian towering over six-foot-two Bader during their eye-catching faceoff.
The other champion-versus-champion bout pits 2023 PFL light heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay against Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen in a 185-pound bout, and both men had no problems making weight, with Kasanganay weighing in at 185.8 pounds compared to Eblen’s 185.5.
PFL
The rest of the card weighed in with no issues, bar one fighter. Amateur prospect Vinicius Pereira came in 3.2 pounds over the flyweight limit for his bout with Malik Basahel. PFL officials have confirmed that the bout, which opens up the event in Riyadh, will go ahead as a catchweight contest.
PFL Champs vs. Bellator Champs: Official weigh-in results
MAIN CARD
- Renan Ferreira (263.2) vs. Ryan Bader (231.1) – champion versus champion bout
- Impa Kasanganay (185.8) vs. Johnny Eblen (185.5) – champion versus champion bout
- Ray Cooper III (182.4) vs. Jason Jackson (182)
- Bruno Cappelozza (236.2) vs. Vadim Nemkov (238.1)
- Thiago Santos (205.2) vs. Yoel Romero (205)
- Clay Collard (155.5) vs. AJ McKee (154.8)
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Henry Corrales (155.7) vs. Aaron Pico (155.7)
- Biaggio Ali Walsh (155.4) vs. Emmanuel Palacio (152.6)
- Claressa Shields (164.4) vs. Kelsey DeSantis (164.4)
- Abdullah Al-Qahtani (146) vs. Edukondal Rao (145.7)
- Malik Basahel (124.9) vs. Vinicius Pereira (129.2*)
* Fighter missed weight
