The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has officially revealed the list of athletes competing in the highly anticipated 2025 PFL World Tournament. For the first time, the PFL will be adding a Bantamweight (135 lbs) division to its lineup, and the field of fighters promises to bring an exciting mix of international talent, veteran experience, and up-and-coming contenders.
The 2025 PFL World Tournament is set to be a spectacle, with a $20 million prize pool on the line. The tournament will feature 16 elite Bantamweight fighters, each vying for a $500,000 championship bonus. The PFL’s unique format will see these fighters face off in a series of elimination rounds, culminating in the finals, where the last fighter standing will earn the title.
This new addition to the PFL’s roster expands its global footprint, with fighters worldwide battling it out on the same stage. The tournament will take place over several events starting in April 2025 and will be streamed on major platforms like ESPN and DAZN.
Fighters on the bantamweight division list include:
Magomed Magomedov (24-4) – Russia
Leandro Higo (23-6) – Brazil
Sarvarjon Khamidov (16-0) – Tajikistan
Ali Taleb (12-1) – Sweden
Ciaran Clarke (10-0) – Ireland
Kasum Kasumov (16-1) – Russia
Jake Hadley (11-4) – England
Zebenzui Ruiz (12-3) – Spain
Although the PFL has ended Bellator promotion, the promotion retained some fighters like Kasumov, Higo, Magomedov, Khamidov, and Clarke, who will be competing in the upcoming bout. Additionally, Jake Hadley joins the PFL after a stint in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
The 2025 PFL Bantamweight World Tournament will take place over several stages, with each round featuring three five-minute rounds. The event will take place on April 3rd, 11th, 18 and the finals will occur on May 1.The finals will consist of five five-minute rounds, ensuring a dramatic conclusion to the event.
The PFL’s tournament format guarantees that each match will have a high level of excitement and drama, as each fight is crucial to securing a spot in the next competition stage.
The addition of the Bantamweight division to the PFL is a big move for the organization, further establishing it as a significant global MMA league. With fighters from Russia, Brazil, Ireland, Sweden, and other nations, the tournament promises to showcase diverse fighting styles and create thrilling matchups. The international nature of the competition is one of the defining features of the PFL, and it will be interesting to see which fighter rises to the occasion.
In addition to the Bantamweight tournament, the PFL will continue to feature other divisions, such as Heavyweight and Featherweight, all part of its broader effort to bring high-quality, action-packed MMA to the global audience. With its tournament format and large prize pool, the PFL has cemented itself as a serious player in the MMA landscape.
