Preview: PFL Super Fights - Battle of the Giants ‘Brace for Impact’

The Prelims

Raufeon Stots (20-2) vs. Marcos Breno (15-3)

At 35, Stots is still amongst the top bantamweights in the world. The former two-time NCAA Division II wrestling champ is as tough as they come on the ground and knows how to control the clock when he needs to. Stots’ hand speed and striking prowess make him a well-rounded opponent that’s nearly impossible to figure out in three rounds. With only two losses on his record, Stots has only lost to pound-for-pound ranked champions Patchy Mix and Merab Dvalishvili by first-round knockouts. Breno is a heavy-handed Brazilian who’s only gone the distance in three of his 18 career fights. He’s coming off a second-round submission loss to Danny Sabatello — an opponent that Stotts has bested twice — and hasn’t fought in 18 months. Stotts will look to push the pace against Breno and nullify his power early. With potential cage rust setting in, Breno may have difficulty landing his power and could be outclassed on the scorecards.

Makkasharip Zaynukov (15-4) vs. Dedrek Sanders (9-4)

Zaynukov brings a four-fight win streak into his PFL debut. The Russian lightweight went 3-0 in 2023 but has needed help securing opposition this year. With only seven finishes on his ledger, Zaynukov isn’t known for his finishing ability but can control fights and cruise to dominant decision wins. Sanders, who made a name for himself by breaking Sergio Cossio’s nine-fight win streak last August, is making a quick turnaround as he looks to end the year with another impressive win. The Nashville native has faced future stars Terrance McKinney and Jonathan Pearce but has won six of his last seven since those defeats.

Ibragim Ibragimov (7-0) vs. Nacho Campos (5-0)

In a battle of unbeaten featherweights, PFL Europe standout Ibragimov looks to build on his 2024 with another dominant win. Ibragimov was last in the cage in June, making light work of former Cage Warriors vet Josh Reed in one round. Ibragimov trains out of Manchester Top Team with some of the best strikers in the world but hails from the MMA wrestling capital of Dagestan. That perfect blend has resulted in a nearly perfect finishing rate (three knockouts, three submissions). Campos hails from Spain and has been a pro for less than two years. Despite his inexperience, that hasn’t stopped him from securing four career stoppages (three in the first round). Ibragimov appears to be the better, more well-rounded and tested prospect, but Campos's stock could skyrocket with the upset win.

Mostafa Rashed Nada (9-3) vs. Ahmed Sami (11-4) Since his last loss in 2018, Nada has been on a tear. Four of his last five wins came via knockout, and he has a knack for taking guys out in the first round. In his last fight at PFL Mena 2, Nada carried the show with another first-round knockout in the main event. For his exciting display of raw power, he’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase his skills on one of the PFL’s most prominent platforms. Egyptian welterweight Ahmed Sami is a well-traveled prospect, having fought in UAE Warriors, Levels Fight League and Oktagon MMA, but comes into his PFL debut off the heels of a five-round unanimous decision loss. Luckily for Sami, this fight will only be three rounds, and his gas tank should carry him well. Nada won’t likely give him the chance to use it, however, if he can land something big in the first round.

Youssef Al Housani (8-1) vs. Taha Bendaoud (3-0)

Opening the card is an intriguing featherweight tilt between two Canadians. Al Housani represents Toronto and comes into the fight with a significant advantage in experience. He’s been a pro since 2013 and has never been stopped. He’s also not known for his knockout power, but he uses a solid ground game to overwhelm opponents and keep them defending submissions. Bendaoud has a more traditional karate-like style highlighted by quick kicks and bouncy footwork. If he can keep the fight on the feet, he could pick Al Housani apart, but in his limited experience, he hasn’t seen a grappler of the caliber of Al Housani.

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Ngannou vs. Ferreira
Cyborg vs. Pacheco
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Kadimagomaev vs. Mohsen
McKee vs. Hughes
The Prelims