FULL CARD FINALIZED FOR PFL CHICAGO ON OCTOBER 16 AT WINTRUST ARENA

Carmouche and Bishop Set to Make History in Inaugural PFL Women’s Flyweight Title Fight

Undefeated Timur Khizriev Returns Against Gabriel Braga in Co-Main Event

PFL Chicago Airs Live in the U.S. on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN App

Tickets Are Available Now via pfl.info/Chicago

NEW YORK (September 23, 2026) - Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced the full fight card for PFL Chicago, live from Wintrust Arena on Friday, October 16, featuring the inaugural PFL Women’s Flyweight World Championship.
 
#2-Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche (26-8), a pioneer of women’s MMA, former Bellator Champion and 2025 PFL World Tournament Champion, will face submission specialist #4-Jena Bishop (11-3) with history on the line in the night’s main event.
 
Carmouche, who competed in the UFC’s first women’s fight in 2013 and served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps, has won 13 of her last 14 bouts, while Bishop, an IBJJF No-Gi World Champion and ADCC veteran, has earned back-to-back first-round submissions since the pair met in the 2025 tournament final. Now, the rivals meet again in Chicago to crown the first PFL Women’s Flyweight World Champion.
 
In the co-main event, undefeated #2-Timur Khizriev (18-0) makes his highly anticipated return to the PFL cage following a lengthy recovery from an armed attack and broken hand. The 2024 PFL Featherweight World Tournament Champion will face former PFL finalist and three-time playoff semifinalist #5-Gabriel Braga (17-3) in a rematch of their closely contested split decision. Khizriev will look to preserve his perfect record and move closer to a world title opportunity, while Braga looks to avenge the loss and halt Khizriev’s unbeaten run.
 
Also on the main card, bantamweights collide as #6-Sarvarjon Khamidov (17-1) puts his impressive record to the test against Rafael do Nascimento (13-2) in a matchup between two proven contenders. At welterweight, undefeated Oualy Tandia (5-0) looks to continue his unbeaten rise against experienced veteran JP Saint Louis (12-5).
 
Opening the main card, 2019 PFL Light Heavyweight World Champion and #9-ranked Emiliano Sordi (26-14-1) takes on #5-ranked heavyweight Abraham Bably (8-3) in a light heavyweight clash.

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster. For more information, visit pfl.info/Chicago. The main card will air live in the U.S. on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes at 11:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT. The early card begins at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT on the ESPN App for fans with access to the ESPN Unlimited plan.
 

Updated PFL Chicago Main Card:
Wintrust Arena – Chicago, Illinois 
Friday, October 16, 2026 | 11:00 pm ET
ESPN2 (U.S.)
 
PFL Women’s Flyweight World Championship Main Event: #2-Liz Carmouche (26-8) vs. #4-Jena Bishop (11-3)

Featherweight Co-Main Event: #2-Timur Khizriev (18-0) vs. #5-Gabriel Braga (17-3) 

Bantamweight Bout: #6-Sarvarjon Khamidov (17-1) vs. Rafael do Nascimento (13-2)

Welterweight Bout: Oualy Tandia (5-0) vs. JP Saint Louis (12-5) 

Light Heavyweight Bout: #9-Emiliano Sordi (26-14-1) vs. #5(HW)-Abraham Bably (8-3) 
 
Preliminary Card:
Friday, October 16, 2026 | 6:00 pm ET
ESPN App (U.S.)

Lightweight Bout: Gamid Khizriev (5-0) vs. Michael Boylan (6-1) 

Women’s Flyweight Bout: #10-Shannon Clark (8-1) vs. Lucero Acosta (6-2)

Lightweight Bout: Cassio Barao (10-1-1) vs. Kevin Pease (8-0)

Welterweight Bout: #8-Eliezer Kubanza (9-1) vs. Trey Waters (10-2) 

Bantamweight Bout: Cobey Fehr (4-0) vs. Rosario Romero (4-0)

Women’s Flyweight Bout: #5-Paulina Wisniewska (7-1) vs. Chelsea Hackett (5-3-1)

Featherweight Bout: Noah Hermosillo (1-0) vs. Caden Cox (2-0)

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Benita van Rooij (7-2) vs. Giuliany Perea (5-1)

Lightweight Bout: Levan Khabalaev (5-0) vs. Morquez Forest (8-2)
 

UPCOMING PFL SCHEDULE:
Friday, October 2 – PFL MENA: Riyadh – Green Halls – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Saturday, October 10 – PFL Africa: Morocco – Salle Mohammed V – Casablanca, Morocco
Friday, October 16 - PFL Chicago - Wintrust Arena - Chicago, Illinois
Saturday, November 14 - PFL Dubai – Coca-Cola Arena – Dubai, UAE
Saturday, December 19 - PFL Lyon – LDLC Arena – Lyon, France 
 
 

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