PFL World Tournament Sees Shocking Upsets and Dynamic Performances

ORLANDO, Fla. — The 2025 PFL World Tournament continued on Friday with a thrilling series of fights in the women’s flyweight and men’s bantamweight divisions at Universal Studios. The main event featured a surprise entry as Leandro Higo (23-6) faced Marcirley Alves (12-4) after Josh Rettinghouse was nixed from competition due to medical concerns.

In the co-main event, former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche (22-8) took on Ilara Joanne (12-9). Both fighters were eager to make their mark early in the tournament with the night broadcasting live on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

Among the evening’s most surprising moments was Ekaterina Shakalova (8-2) defeating Juliana Velasquez (13-4) via rear-naked choke at 2:05 in round one. This victory not only secured her a place in the semifinals but also stunned spectators who expected a stronger performance from the former champion.

Additionally, Jena Bishop (8-2) showcased her skills, earning a unanimous decision victory over Kana Watanabe (13-4-1) with judges scoring the contest 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. The fight saw Bishop dictate the pace with her striking, even causing a significant cut to Watanabe.

Jake Hadley (12-4) turned in an impressive performance against Matheus Mattos (14-4-1), winning by submission through a Scottish twister in round three, at 2:16. This marked Hadley’s PFL debut and showcased his submission prowess.

The preliminary card also featured Elora Dana (8-0), who continued her unbeaten streak by defeating Diana Avsaragova (6-2) with a neck crank submission at 4:48 in round one. Dana demonstrated her maturity as a fighter with a well-executed strategy and relentless pressure.

Brandon Knapp, one of the official judges, stated, “Each fighter brought their game; we saw a mix of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers ready to make a splash in the tournament.”

As the tournament progresses, anticipation builds around the upcoming matchups. The results from Friday’s fights indicate a competitive spirit among all participants, setting up for an intense continuation of the tournament.

Fans can expect further action in the coming weeks, and with matchups heating up, every bout will be crucial for advancement in this year’s tournament.