ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY – After an exciting first two events, the 2021 season of the Professional Fighters League rolls on tonight with PFL 3, featuring the top heavyweights and women’s lightweight fighters in the world. PFL 3 will emanate from the PFL Regular Season Bubble at the Ocean Resort Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Headlining tonight’s nine-fight offering will be Brazilian heavyweight great Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum, who will be making his highly-anticipated PFL debut against up-and-coming Brazilian Renan “Problema” Ferreira. Werdum (24-9) is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion with wins over some of the biggest names in MMA, including Fedor Emelianenko, Cain Velasquez, Alistair Overeem, Minotauro Nogueira, and Brandon Vera. Ferreira (6-2) meanwhile, has won 4 of his last 5 fights, and is coming off a victory over Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Jared Vanderaa.
In the co-main event, women’s MMA superstar and 2019 PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion Kayla Harrison returns to the PFL cage as she begins her quest for a second-straight PFL title when she meets Brazilian veteran Mariana Morais. Harrison (8-0) boasts a perfect MMA record and has finished 6 of her 8 fights. Morais (16-10) meanwhile is coming off three straight wins, and brings a wealth of experience at just 25 years of age.
Plus, top heavyweight prospect Mohammed “The Motor” Usman also makes his PFL debut against fellow newcomer Brandon “Man of War” Sayles. Usman (7-1), the younger brother of UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman, is coming off four straight wins, and has finished his opponents in five of his seven wins. Sayles (5-1) meanwhile, is on an impressive three-fight win streak of his own.
COMPLETE PFL 3 FIGHT CARD
MAIN CARD (ESPN)
Heavyweight Bout (265 lbs.)
Fabricio Werdum vs. Renan Ferreira
Women’s Lightweight Bout (155 lbs.)
Kayla Harrison vs. Mariana Morais
Heavyweight Bout (265 lbs.)
Mohammed Usman vs. Brandon Sayles
Women’s Lightweight Bout (155 lbs.)
Larissa Pacheco vs. Julija Pacic
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN/ESPN+)
Heavyweight Bout (265 lbs.)
Ante Delija vs. Bruno Cappelozza
Women’s Lightweight Bout (155 lbs.)
Cindy Dandois vs. Kaitlin Young
Women’s Lightweight Bout (155 lbs.)
Genah Fabian vs. Laura Sanchez
Heavyweight Bout (265 lbs.)
Denis Goltsov vs. Muhammad DeReese
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+)
Women’s Lightweight Bout (155 lbs.)
Olena Kolesnyk vs. Taylor Guardado
Welterweight Showcase Bout (170 lbs.)
Magomed Umalatov vs. Kyron Bowden
