PFL Unveils Welterweight, Light Heavyweight Lineups Ahead of 2021 Campaign

Ray Cooper III will face a stern test as he attempts repeat as Professional Fighters League welterweight champion.

The PFL on Thursday unveiled the welterweight and light heavyweight fields ahead of its 2021 campaign, which begins April 23. The 170- and 205-pound talents will showcase their skills on the April 29 broadcast, which will likely air on both ESPN and ESPN+.

One man who might be favored to dethrone Cooper III is former Bellator champion and UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald, one of the promotion’s prized free-agent acquisitions. Also on the welterweight roster is 2018 champion, Magomed Magomedkerimov.

Light heavyweight, meanwhile, is topped by returning champion Emiliano Sordi. Fresh opposition includes the likes of Bellator veteran Jordan Young and a trio of former UFC competitors in Chris Camozzi, Tom Lawlor and Cezar Ferreira.

“The welterweight division might be the deepest weight class in the PFL,” said PFL president of fighter operations Ray Sefo. “With the addition of Rory to our two returning champions, there are no easy fights. The light heavyweights are stacked as well with Sordi and all the new top talent we’ve added. April 29 is going to be a fun night of fights.”

PFL Welterweight Roster:
Nikolay Aleksakhin
Ray Cooper III
Rory MacDonald
Magomed Magomedkerimov
David Michaud
Sadibou Sy
Joao Zeferino

PFL Light Heavyweight Roster:
Chris Camozzi
Cezar Ferreira
Marthin Hamlet
Jordan Johnson
Tom Lawlor
Smealinho Rama
Emiliano Sordi
Dan Spohn
Jordan Young