MMASucka staff picks are in for another night of fights.
PFL 3 2024 will occur later today, April 19th from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Mixed martial artists in the men’s featherweight (145 pounds) and welterweight (170 pounds) divisions will contest for Regular Season points as they attempt for a spot in the seasonal Playoffs. The Professional Fighters League will return with the second half of the Regular Season on Thursday, June 13th. Playoffs and PFL’s ultimate Championship event are to be determined.
Tonight’s card will begin with preliminary fights at 7:00 pm ET (6:00 pm PT) on ESPN+. The main card will follow at 9:30 pm ET (6:30 pm PT) on both ESPN+ and cable ESPN. Results from all of PFL 3 2024 will be available here at MMASucka. Stay tuned.
Please look back at our picks from last weekend’s PFL 2 2024 and the sensational UFC 300 event.
Welterweights – 170 Pounds
Andrey Koreshkov and Magomed Umalatov will clash in the night’s featured main event. Former Bellator Welterweight Champion Koreshkov makes his promotional debut in search of his sixth straight victory since returning to MMA competition in February of 2021. Undefeated Umalatov looks for PFL revenge after getting forced out of both the 2022 and 2023 Playoffs due to visa issues and personal issues, respectively.
Magomed Umalatov vs. Andrey Koreshkov is OFFICIAL for the MAIN EVENT!
[ #PFLRegularSeason | Fri, April 19 | 7pm ET on ESPN+ | 9:30pm ET on ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/8m2bkmKSbN
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 18, 2024
Two more newcomers are set for three rounds on the main card between Logan Storley and Shamil Musaev. Former NCAA Division I wrestler and 170-pound Bellator Title challenger Storley targets two in a row after stopping Brennan Ward in August. Another unbeaten Russian athlete of Musaev secured his biggest win to date by 84-second knockout Alexey Kunchenko in July; his first fight back since October of 2021.
A battle of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialists will rematch in the second ESPN fight. Goiti Yamauchi spent the majority of last year recovering from surgery following a devastating knee injury delivered by Michael Page in March of last year. Neiman Gracie, a multi-time Pan-American and World Champion BJJ medalist snapped a two-fight skid just over 14 months ago with his unanimous decision over Dante Schiro. Yamauchi and Gracie had fought at Bellator 284 in August of 2022 with Yamauchi taking the second-round knockout.
Two final welterweight pairings are set to occur on the preliminary card. 2023-crowned Ares FC Champion Laureano Staropoli will fight 28-year-old undefeated talent of Murad Ramazanov. Lastly, former two-time EFC Lightweight Champion Don Madge, who was originally anticipated to fight Kyle Crutchmer, makes his anticipated cage return against former Bellator Middleweight Championship contender and late replacement Brennan Ward.
Featherweights – 145 Pounds
In the co-main slot, three rounds will be contested between Brendan Loughnane and Pedro Carvalho. 2021 semifinalist and 2022 Tournament Champion Loughnane fell short in last season’s Regular Season by failing to advance into the Playoffs after Jesus Pinedo’s impressive first-round knockout. Former Bellator Featherweight Title contender Carvalho looks to avoid three straight losses after a rough 2023.
A fight fitting for the co-main event tomorrow night! Brendan Loughnane vs. Pedro Carvalho is ON!
[ #PFLRegularSeason | Fri, April 19 | 7pm ET on ESPN+ | 9:30pm ET on ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/76PfkssYPA
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 18, 2024
Gabriel Alves Braga made waves with his impressive run to the 2023 million-dollar finale before ultimately losing in a rematch to the aforementioned Jesus Pinedo. A fight cancellation at PFL vs. Bellator opposite Patricio Pitbull saw Alves Braga moved to the 2024 Regular Season against former LFA Featherweight Champion Justin Gonzales who aims to snap a two-fight skid following unanimous decision defeats last year.
Opening the main card sees a fight with former NCAA Division I National Champion and former PFL Championship finalist Bubba Jenkins and Hawaiian debutant Kai Kamaka III.
Two 145-pound battles compose the last two spots on the ESPN+ preliminaries. Another former Bellator Title challenger of Kill Cliff FC’s Adam Borics takes on The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2 Lightweight winner Enrique Barzola, and undefeated Russian Timur Khizriev faces off against former Titan FC and Cage Warriors Bantamweight Champion Brett Johns.
Check out our bet suggestions and promo codes for tonight’s fights here. Who has the MMASucka crew picked to win in the Regular Season at PFL 3 2024?
Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL) with Bellator MMA, ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL and Bellator MMA see picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2024 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our PFL 3 2024 staff picks and betting predictions below.
RECORDS AFTER UFC 300:
1. Nate Freeman: 87-43
2. Wesley Riddle: 81-49
3T. Jeremy Brand: 77-53
3T. Michael DeSantis: 77-45
5. Frazer Krohn: 76-54
6. Andrew Benjamin: 55-58
7. Lukas DeWitt: 43-31
8. Julio Monteros Jr.: 28-11
9. Michael Kachan: 11-7
10. Casey Cooper: 4-5
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Don Madge (10-4-1), -175
vs.
Brennan Ward (17-7), +145
WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION
– PRELIMS –
– 170 LBS. ~ 77.1 KG. –
Jeremy Brand: Madge via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Madge via Unanimous Decision
Michael DeSantis: Ward via Round 3 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Ward via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Madge via Unanimous Decision
Nate Freeman: Ward via Round 2 TKO
Staff picking Madge: 3
Staff picking Ward: 3
Laureano Staropoli (13-5), +625
vs.
Murad Ramazanov (11-0, 1 NC), -950
WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION
– PRELIMS –
– 170 LBS. ~ 77.1 KG. –
Jeremy Brand: Ramazanov via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Ramazanov via Round 3 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Ramazanov via Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Ramazanov via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Ramazanov via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Ramazanov via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Staropoli: 0
Staff picking Ramazanov: 6
Timur Khizriev (14-0), -360
vs.
Brett Johns (20-3), +285
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION
– PRELIMS –
– 145 LBS. ~ 65.8 KG. –
Jeremy Brand: Khizriev via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Khizriev via Unanimous Decision
Michael DeSantis: Khizriev via Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Johns via Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Johns via Round 2 SUB
Nate Freeman: Khizriev via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Khizriev: 4
Staff picking Johns: 2
Adam Borics (18-2), -150
vs.
Enrique Barzola (20-7-2), +125
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION
– PRELIMS –
– 145 LBS. ~ 65.8 KG. –
Jeremy Brand: Borics via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Borics via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Borics via Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Borics via Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Borics via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Borics via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Borics: 6
Staff picking Barzola: 0
Bubba Jenkins (21-7), -160
vs.
Kai Kamaka III (12-5-1), +130
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION
– MAIN CARD –
– 145 LBS. ~ 65.8 KG. –
Jeremy Brand: Kamaka III via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Jenkins via Unanimous Decision
Michael DeSantis: Jenkins via Split Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Jenkins via Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Jenkins via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Jenkins via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Jenkins: 5
Staff picking Kamaka III: 1
Goiti Yamauchi (28-6), -300
vs.
Neiman Gracie (12-4), +215
WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION
– MAIN CARD –
– 170 LBS. ~ 77.1 KG. –
Jeremy Brand: Yamauchi via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Yamauchi via Split Decision
Michael DeSantis: Yamauchi via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Yamauchi via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Gracie via Round 3 SUB
Nate Freeman: Yamauchi via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Yamauchi: 4
Staff picking Gracie: 1
Gabriel Alves Braga (12-1), -185
vs.
Justin Gonzales (14-3), +150
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION
– MAIN CARD –
– 145 LBS. ~ 65.8 KG. –
Jeremy Brand: Alves Braga via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Alves Braga via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Alves Braga via Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Alves Braga via Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Alves Braga via Split Decision
Nate Freeman: Alves Braga via Split Decision
Staff picking Alves Braga: 6
Staff picking Gonzales: 0
Logan Storley (15-2), -225
vs.
Shamil Musaev (16-0-1), +185
WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION
– MAIN CARD –
– 170 LBS. ~ 77.1 KG. –
Jeremy Brand: Storley via Round 3 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Storley via Split Decision
Michael DeSantis: Storley via Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Storley via Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Storley via Unanimous Decision
Nate Freeman: Storley via Split Decision
Staff picking Storley: 6
Staff picking Musaev: 0
Brendan Loughnane (27-5), -440
vs.
Pedro Carvalho (13-8), +340
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION
– CO-MAIN EVENT –
– 145 LBS. ~ 65.8 KG. –
Jeremy Brand: Loughnane via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Loughnane via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Loughnane via Round 1 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Loughnane via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Loughnane via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Loughnane via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Loughnane: 6
Staff picking Carvalho: 0
Andrey Koreshkov (27-4), +145
vs.
Magomed Umalatov (14-0), -175
WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION
– MAIN EVENT –
– 170 LBS. ~ 77.1 KG. –
Jeremy Brand: Koreshkov via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Umalatov via Unanimous Decision
Michael DeSantis: Umalatov via Split Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Umalatov via Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Umalatov via Round 3 TKO
Nate Freeman: Umalatov via Round 3 TKO
Staff picking Koreshkov: 1
Staff picking Umalatov: 5
PFL 3 2024 FEATURED IMAGE:
The Professional Fighters League wraps up its first half of the Regular Season with PFL 3 2024 taking place Friday, April 19th from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
