Mackenzie Stiller’s Potential PFL Springboard

Mackenzie Stiller sounds ready to make the most of her opportunities in the early stages of her career. Well known for her judo pedigree, she has won all three of her pro bouts—two of them in Bellator MMA—and now looks to make a statement in her latest appearance.

Stiller will take her toughest test to date when she faces Sumiko Inaba in a Bellator Champions Series women’s flyweight showcase on Saturday at Pechanga Arena in San Diego. The short-notice nature of the assignment was not an issue for her. Stiller trains year-round in order to stay prepared for any opportunity that comes her way. She even fought outside of Bellator while she waited for pieces from the Professional Fighters League merger to fall into place.

“It was definitely a waiting game, for sure,” she said. “We weren’t sweating it. We were training just like usual. I usually train like I’m in camp even when I don’t have a fight lined up. We’re basically just staying ready to say yes to any short-notice fight, just like this one. We usually say yes to everything. There’s no point pursuing your dream if you don’t take any risks.”

Inaba owns a 7-1 record, having suffered her only setback in a unanimous decision defeat to Denise Kielholtz at Bellator 301 in November. Stiller welcomes the challenge.

“I think it’s a good matchup for both of us, and it’s definitely going to be a test for me,” she said. “I’m going to do my best to pull that W and have fun out there. Her standup game, I actually respect it. I know she has some tools in her bag, and we’ve just been preparing the best we can. I guess we’ll have to see what happens when we get there.”

Stiller wants to put her evolution on display by battling the best competition available to her and hopes to use her third fight in Bellator to show she belongs on the PFL women’s flyweight roster in 2025. She believes her skills are well suited for the PFL format.

“If I showcase and prove myself, then I would think [the PFL] would want somebody who is 3-0 and beat a 7-1 girl because of my potential,” she said. “I did watch this [PFL] season because I watch everyone. I think the PFL does bring great opportunities to all their fighters; it just depends on how you play the game. I think it’s a big whole chess game, and the PFL provides the right amount of opportunity for each fighter to excel at that if they really wanted to.”

With her focus firmly on Inaba, Stiller, who turned 25 in July, welcomes the increased level of activity a spot on the PFL roster would provide.

“Oh, I’m definitely ready for that,” she said. “Even when I’m not in fight camp, I train like I’m in fight camp. We’re always ready and always disciplined because this is what I want to do with my life. You can’t just like to do something. You’ve got to want it and follow through with everything, all the sacrifices that go with being a winner and champion. It’s definitely a goal to be [PFL] champion.”