Preview: PFL 3 2024

The Professional Fighters League blows into Chicago’s Wintrust Arena on Friday with its best welterweights and featherweights on board for PFL 3. Former Bellator MMA welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov headlines his PFL debut against undefeated Russian boogeyman Magomed Umalatov. In the co-main event, 2022 featherweight tournament champion Brendan Loughnane returns from a shocking knockout loss to face Pedro Carvahlo, who is starving for momentum after losing his last two outings.

Familiar PFL veterans continue to welcome Bellator’s best to the PFL elsewhere on the card. Bubba Jenkins is back for his fourth season to prove he is a bad man against “The Fighting Hawaiian” Kai Kamaka III. Gabriel Braga, the featherweight runner-up in 2023, hopes to take his first step back to the playoffs, thought Top Notch MMA’s product Justin Gonzales stands in his way.

Finding a finish and securing a top spot in the standings will be vital. Who will impress in the last PFL card until June? Tune into ESPN+ and ESPN2 at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT to find out. Now to the preview for PFL 3:

Welterweights

Magomed Umalatov (14-0, 5-0 PFL) vs. Andrey Koreshkov (27-4, 0-0 PFL)

ODDS: Umalatov (-165), Koreshkov (+135)

The main event pits two welterweights who have patiently waited for their time in the spotlight. Koreshkov is a force from Russia who has been a consistent nightmare for the foes who cross him. After storming out to an 8-0 record at the start of his career, Koreshkov signed with Bellator, and his heavy hands carried him all the way to the title. Korsehkov dispatched names like Douglas Lima, Benson Henderson and Chidi Njokuani before losing his title to Lima in a rematch. Koreshkov’s knockout loss unfairly put his career in the slow lane, but “Spartan” would not be deterred. Since then, he has won six out of his last seven fights and avenged the only loss to Lorenz Larkin. Koreshkov has had some bad moments on the scorecards, so the 33-year-old prefers to handle his business quickly. Eighteen of Korehkov’s 27 wins have come inside the distance, and he will be looking to grow that number against the unbeaten Umalatov.

Umalatov is not low on talent, but he has had his share of bad breaks. Despite being undefeated and 5-0 in the PFL, he has not put together a full season due to issues outside the ring. In 2021, “Prince” obliterated Kyron Bowen to earn his roster spot in 2022. After his season-opening bout against Ray Cooper III was scrapped, Umalatov earned a spot in the playoffs with a first-round knockout of Jarrah Al-Silawi. Umalatov was set to face Rory MacDonald in the semifinals but was replaced by Dilano Taylor due to visa issues. Umalatov destroyed Taylor the next season in under two minutes and outworked Nayib Lopez to make the playoffs again. Heading into his semifinal fight against Magomed Magomedkerimov, Umalatov was once again removed from the playoffs for undisclosed reasons. So despite fighting for the PFL for three years, Umalatov has never competed in a playoff match. This could be the year to change that. This fight promises to be violent for however long it lasts. Koreshkov puts foes to sleep routinely and has a spinning back kick that can sneak up on you. He figures to be unfazed by Umalatov’s record and will happily trade in the center of the cage. Umalatov has eight first-round finishes and loves the excitement of the “quick six” finish. Put these two in the same vicinity and watch the magic unfold.

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Umalatov vs. Koreshkov
Loughnane vs. Carvalho
Musaev vs. Storley
Braga vs. Gonzales
Yamauchi vs. Gracie
Kamaka vs. Jenkins
The Prelims