PFL Europe is set to return to Newcastle, England on June 8, and we now know the identity of the eight men set to land on Tyneside looking to move one step closer to the 2024 PFL Europe bantamweight title.
The promotion confirmed its full lineup on Tuesday via its social media channels, with a stacked eight-man lineup set to do battle for the honour of being PFL’s European bantamweight champion for 2024.
Heading the list is last year’s bantamweight champion, Germany’s Khurshed Kakhorov. The 12-1 veteran ran the table last season, with a pair of unanimous decision victories over Moktar Benkaci and Ali Taleb earning him a spot in the season finale.
“The Killer” saved his best performance for last, as he TKO’d Frans Mlambo in the second round of the final to capture the title, and the $100,000 prize.
Mlambo also returns to the fray for 2024 as he looks to go one better and claim PFL European gold. But his and Kakhorov’s task of reaching the final again looks even tougher than last year, with a talent-stacked lineup of contenders also vying for their spot at the top of the 135-pound division.
England’s Dean Garnett brings a wealth of experience, plus a four-fight win streak, into the 2024 PFL Europe season, while Scotland’s former Cage Warriors flyweight champion Luke Shanks will look to impose his relentless fighting style on the competition as he bids to capture a major title in a second weight class, with a second promotion.
Germany will have two contenders to cheer on, with Kakhorov joined by 7-1 contender Alexander Luster, while Belgium’s Ayton De Paepe will carry the hopes of Belgium in the 2024 bantamweight season. The eight-man lineup is rounded out by Turkish knockout artist Alperen Karabulut and Georgia’s Bondo Kikadze, who impressed with a dominant win over former Cage Warriors champion Dominique Wooding at the PFL Europe Finale last December.
PFL Europe: Bantamweight 2024 season roster
- Khurshed Kakhorov (GER)
- Dean Garnett (ENG)
- Alexander Luster (GER)
- Frans Mlambo (IRE)
- Ayton De Paepe (BEL)
- Alperen Karabulut (TUR)
- Bondo Kikadze (GEO)
- Luke Shanks (SCO)
Women’s flyweight lineup announced
The promotion also announced its eight-woman lineup for their women’s flyweight season, with two English athletes looking to make an impact in the tournament.
Former amateur standout Shanelle Dyer will be looking to follow in the footsteps of last season’s winner, Dakota Ditcheva, by winning the tournament and catapulting herself onto the world stage. The 4-0 contender is joined by Sammy-Jo Luxton, who has won both of her pro fights so far, and is diving straight into the deep end as she bids to make it all the way to the PFL Europe title.
Georgia’s 9-2 contender Mariam Torchinava is the most experienced name on the list, with France’s Marie Loiseau and Ireland’s Dee Begley also bringing significant professional experience to the 2024 flyweight season. They’re joined by the Netherlands’ Lizzy Gevers and Poland’s Paulina Wisniewska.
Finally, standing in their way will be last year’s runner-up, Italy’s Valentina Scatizzi, who will be keen to go one better and finish the year as PFL Europe’s 125-pound queen.
PFL Europe: Womens’ flyweight 2024 season roster
- Shanelle Dyer (ENG)
- Sammy-Jo Luxton (ENG)
- Lizzy Gevers (NED)
- Mariam Torchinava (GEO)
- Valentina Scatizzi (ITA)
- Dee Begley (IRE)
- Paulina Wisniewska (POL)
- Marie Loiseau (FRA)
