On a mission to break new ground in South Africa, the PFL will set in motion a phenomenal event coming at fans from the country’s capital in Cape Town, PFL Champions Series 2. Headlining the card, Bellator Middleweight Champion Johnny Eblen attempts to score the PFL strap in his fourth title defense opposite the always-dangerous Costello van Steenis in the PFL Champions Series 2 main event. Before that, however, the streaking Dakota Ditcheva competes for the first time in 2025 against standout fighter Sumiko Inaba.
PFL Champions Series 2 Main Event
Hailed for his dominant reign as the Bellator 185-lb king, Eblen had previously notched three retentions of his belt, including two victories over the touted Fabian Edwards. Should he get the job done this weekend in the PFL Champions Series 2 main event, “Pressure” will leave the SmartCage as the new PFL middleweight title-holder, with his Bellator championship being phased out after the promotion was bought out last year.
A veteran of nearly 20 contests, van Steenis has been a professional mixed martial arts competitor for over 11 years now. This journey has seen him cross paths with a plethora of elite-level opposition, as seen in his wins over stellar figures like Mike Shipman and Fabian Edwards. Although a major world championship has eluded him, “The Spaniard” has the opportunity to bring home an amazing prize in the PFL Middleweight Championship with a huge upset over Eblen in PFL Champions Series 2.
PFL Champions Series 2 Co-Main Event
Catapulting herself into international notoriety last year by starching former UFC title challenger Talia Santos, Ditcheva takes to the cage once again in one of the more anticipated outings from a fighter in 2025 in the PFL Champions Series 2 co-main event. Looking to kickstart another fruitful run in the female 125-lb category, “Dangerous” co-headlines one of the most ambitious shows the PFL has put on to date.
A professional combatant since 2020, Inaba made a name for herself as a talented homegrown name in the Bellator women’s flyweight division. Crossing paths with a bona fide superstar in the PFL Champions Series 2 co-main event, “Samurai Lady” steps into the most high-profile bout of her career, and potentially has the chance to etch the biggest win of her career on her resume.
More Bouts On the Main Card
Also on the main card of PFL Champions Series 2, A.J. McKee returns to the featherweight category after a two-year stint at 155-lb against Akhmed Magomedov. Then, lightweight phenom Makkasharip Zaynukov battles Japanese competitor Takeshi Izumi. Finally, previous light heavyweight champion Corey Anderson moves up to Heavyweight to lock horns with reigning PFL 265-lb gold standard Denis Goltsov.
PFL Champions Series 2 Predictions and 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), 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 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 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains.
Find our PFL Champions Series 2 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC on ESPN 70:
- Hank Strandberg: 112-70
- Drew Zuhosky: 93-89
- Jeremy Brand: 88-71
- Frazer Krohn: 84-67
- Andrew Benjamin: 15-82
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Denis Goltsov -169
Vs.
Corey Anderson +139
HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Anderson by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Anderson by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Anderson by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Anderson by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Goltsov: 0
Staff picking Anderson: 4
Artur Zaynukov -550
Vs.
Takeshi Izumi +400
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Zaynukov by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Izumi by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Izumi by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Zaynukov by first round Submission
Staff picking Zaynukov: 2
Staff picking Izumi: 2
A.J. McKee -205
Vs.
Akhmed Magomedov +165
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: McKee by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: McKee by first round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: McKee by second round Submission
Andrew Benjamin: McKee by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking McKee: 4
Staff picking Magomedov: 0
Dakota Ditcheva -3800
Vs.
Sumiko Inaba +1500
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Ditcheva by first round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Ditcheva by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Ditcheva by first round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Ditcheva by second round Knockout
Staff picking Ditcheva: 4
Staff picking Inaba: 1
Johnny Eblen -600
Vs.
Costello van Steenis +425
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Eblen by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Eblen by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Eblen by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: van Steenis by Split Decision
Staff picking Eblen: 4
Staff picking van Steenis: 0
