PFL Charlotte Staff Picks: Middleweight Sluggers Throw Down

At the Bojangles Coliseum, PFL Charlotte will feature a splendid middleweight showdown, with Bryan Battle taking on Dalton Rosta in the main event. In the penultimate matchup of the night, lightweight striking specialists Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov and Simeon Powell take to the SmartCage      

PFL Charlotte Main Event

Gaining prominence after a stellar 7-1 run with one no-contest in the UFC,  Battle attempted to set himself apart from the other middleweights in the PFL during the company's trip to Pittsburgh. However, the Missouri native was decisively bested by promotional great Johnny Eblen. Looking to put on a much better performance in his second outing of 2026, “The Butcher” travels to North Carolina to prove that he can flourish in his new organization.

Competing solely in major mixed martial arts entities throughout his professional tenure,  Rosta had always been a solid contender in the PFL, though he has struggled to break through into the next echelon of the 185-lb division. Despite losing his last two bouts by knockout, “Hercules” remains steadfast that he is one of the best fighters in the world, and a win this weekend can help him to establish that claim.

PFL Charlotte Co-Main Event

Stepping back into the winner’s circle following a masterclass showing against UFC alum Tyson Pedro,  Yagshimuradov makes his way stateside for a prominent co-main event tilt at PFL Charlotte. Once regarded as one of the preeminent 205-lb athletes on the roster, the Turkmen is gearing up to launch a blistering warpath at the expense of his English counterpart.

Entering his prime at 27-years old, Powell has also become a prominent fighter amongst the PFL’s light heavyweight division, attaining wins over Karl Albrektsson and Emiliano Sordi. Should he manage to come out victorious against Yagshimuradov, then “Smooth” can set himself up for a marquee billed fight in 2027.

More Bouts On The PFL Charlotte Main Card

Also on the main card, Joshua Silveira battles Aaron Jeffery. Then, Lewis McGrillen and Brandon Lewis come to blows. Finally, Josh Fremd tests himself when he faces Jhony Gregory.

PFL Charlotte 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.

Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.

Find our PFL Charlotte picks and fight odds below.

Staff records after PFL New York

1. Hank Strandberg: 129-55

2. Frazer Krohn: 104-75

3. Drew Zuhosky: 91-95

4. Andrew Benjamin: 27-23

*Note – not all staff pick for every event*

---

Joshua Fremd -415

Vs.

Jhony Gregory +327

MIDDLEWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Fremd by First Round Knockout

Drew Zuhosky: Fremd by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Krohn: Fremd by Unanimous Decision;

Staff picking Fremd: 3

Staff picking Gregory: 0

---

Lewis McGrillen -900

Vs.

Brandon Lewis +575

BANTAMWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: McGrillen by Unanimous Decision

Drew Zuhosky: Lewis by Unanimous Decision ;

Frazer Krohn: McGrillen by First Round Knockout

Staff picking McGrillen: 2

Staff picking Lewis: 1

---

Aaron Jeffery -177

Vs.

Joshua Silveira +155

MIDDLEWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Jeffery by Unanimous Decision

Drew Zuhosky: Jeffery by Second Round Knockout

Frazer Krohn: Jeffery by Unanimous Decision

Staff picking Jeffery: 3

Staff picking Silveira: 0

---

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov -160

Vs.

Simeon Powell +140

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Yagshimuradov by Unanimous Decision

Drew Zuhosky: Powell by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Krohn: Powell by Unanimous Decision

Staff picking Yagshimuradov: 1

Staff picking Powell: 2

---

Bryan Battle -145

Vs.

Dalton Rosta -125

MIDDLEWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Battle by First Round Knockout

Drew Zuhosky: Rosta by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Krohn: Battle by Second Round Knockout ;

Staff picking Battle: 2

Staff picking Rosta: 1