The Professional Fighters League today announced its main event and full card matchups for its 2022 regular season kickoff, PFL 1, taking place on April 20 at Esports Stadium Arlington in Arlington, Texas. 2021 PFL lightweight champion Raush Manfio (15-3) looks to begin his journey to a second world title against South African Don Madge (10-3-1) in the evening’s headlining bout.
In the co-main event, Anthony Pettis (24-12), one of the most exciting fighters of all-time and a former world champion, returns to the PFL SmartCage against Myles Price (11-7) of Ireland, who is making his PFL debut.
In light heavyweight action, two Brazilians square off when 2021 PFL champion Antonio Carlos Jr. (13-5) takes on Delan Monte (8-1). Carlos Jr., a submission specialist, will look to take a step towards the PFL playoffs and a second world title against Monte, who will enter the event riding a three-fight winning streak.
Rounding out the main card, hard-charging American and fan favorite Clay Collard (20-9) will take on MMA veteran Jeremy Stephens (28-19). “Cassius” Clay Collard and “Lil’ Heathen” Jeremy Stephens are not fighters that will look to feel each other out, as both are knockout artists who will let their hands go.
“The highly anticipated 2022 PFL season kicks off April 20 on ESPN and ESPN+ in the U.S. and will be distributed internationally to over 160 countries on premium sports platforms,” PFL CEO Peter Murray said. “We are excited to deliver fans our next-gen product as well as the opportunity to follow the season-long journeys of our returning PFL champions and top-ranked fighters from around the world compete in MMA’s most challenging and rewarding format.
“The PFL has put together an action-packed card to kick off the 2022 regular season, PFL president of fighter operations Ray Sefo said. “I’m excited for fight fans around the world to watch the elite talent in our lightweight and light heavyweight divisions on April 20 live in primetime on ESPN.”
The 2022 PFL Season will begin April 20 on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ in primetime. The remaining Regular Season events will take place on April 29, May 6, June 10, June 17, and June 25.
PFL is the first and only MMA league with a true sports-season format where elite fighters from around the world compete in a regular season, playoffs and championship. The four competitors in each division who earn the most points advance to the win-or-go-home playoffs, followed by the biggest night in MMA – the PFL world championship – with each winner going home with the $1 million prize.
The 2022 PFL 1 lineup includes:
MAIN CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)
- Raush Manfio vs. Don Madge
- Anthony Pettis vs. Myles Price
- Antonio Carlos Jr. vs. Delan Monte
- Clay Collard vs. Jeremy Stephens
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. ET)
- Emiliano Sordi vs. Joshua Silveira
- Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. TBA
- Marthin Hamlet vs. Teodoras Aukstuolis
- Omari Akhmedov vs. Viktor Pesta
- Robert Wilkinson vs. Bruce Souto
- Alexander Martinez vs. Stevie Ray
