PFL Chicago Staff Picks: Thrilling Former World Champion Back In Action
Making their way to the Windy City for a rip-roaring night of bouts, PFL Chicago has prepared a short but superbly-talented main card, which features some of the top competitors in the entire organization. In the main event, previous Bellator king...
Making their way to the Windy City for a rip-roaring night of bouts, PFL Chicago has prepared a short but superbly-talented main card, which features some of the top competitors in the entire organization. In the main event, previous Bellator king Sergio Pettis tests himself against preeminent regional sensation Mitchell McKee. In the penultimate match of the evening, middleweight standouts Jordan Newman and Joshua Silveira come to blows.
PFL Chicago Main Event
Over the course of his run in Bellator, Pettis had not only gained the promotion’s bantamweight belt, defending it twice, but also notched magnificent wins over some of the world’s finest like Kyoji Horiguchi and Patrício Pitbull. Gearing up for another championship run, “The Phenom” headlines his first event under the PFL banner.
Undefeated in his ten professional contests, McKee appears to have all the makings of a bonafide prospect heading into his co-main event clash with Pettis. Although only time will tell if he can prove his mettle as a premier athlete this Saturday, “Merciless” will undoubtedly leave a stalwart impression on fans as he makes his smart cage debut.
PFL Chicago Co-Main Event
Unlike most mixed martial arts athletes, Newman has had the invaluable opportunity of being able to have come up in a major company, with his entire professional career having taken place solely in Bellator. Now firmly nestled on the PFL’s roster at a stupendous 8-0, “Not Human” is preparing for a staggering step up on competition in Chicago.
For over four years, Silveira has remained a fixture of the upper echelon of the PFL’s pound-for-pound elite. While a disappointing 2-3 record in his last five bouts have left him in somewhat of a rut, “Coninha” remains eager to continue his push towards capturing his first major world title.
More Bouts On the PFL Chicago Main Card
Also on the main card, previous Bellator belt-holder Raufeon Stots sets his sights on Renat Khavalov, while featherweight knockout artist Gabriel Braga draws Cheyden Leialoha
PFL Chicago 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.
Find our PFL Africa 1 (2026) picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC Vegas 115:
- Hank Strandberg: 41-22
- Frazer Krohn: 37-27
- Drew Zuhosky: 27-35
- Andrew Benjamin: 11-10
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Gabriel Braga -900
Vs.
Cheyden Leialoha +600
FEATHERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Braga by Second Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Braga by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Braga by Round one knockout
Staff picking Braga: 3
Staff picking Leialoha: 0
Renat Khavalov -250
Vs.
Raufeon Stots +210
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Khavalov by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Stots by First Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Khavakov by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Khavalov: 2
Staff picking Stots: 1
Joshua Silveira -160
Vs.
Jordan Newman +140
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Silveira by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Silveira by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Newman by split Decision
Staff picking Silveira: 2
Staff picking Newman: 1
Sergio Pettis -130
Vs.
Mitchell McKee +110
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Pettis by Third Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Pettis by First Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Pettis by Third Round knockout
Staff picking Pettis: 3
Staff picking McKee: 0
