PFL New York Staff Picks: Dominant Lightweight Champion Competes
PFL New York happens Friday. Our staff picks are in. Who did they choose this time?
In what will be the company’s debut in the hamlet of Elmont, PFL New York sets the stage for a thrilling lightweight championship main event, with current incumbent Usman Nurmagomedov putting his throne on the line against previous Bellator star Archie Colgan. Also, promotional darling Dakota Ditcheva sets foot in the smart cage once more to tango with Dutch standout Denise Kielholtz.
PFL New York Main Event
At 28 years of age, Nurmagomedov hasn’t even entered his prime as a towering juggernaut in the 155-lb division. Undefeated at a stunning 22-0, the Dagestani world-beater is gearing up to defend his PFL strap for the second time this year.
Unblemished in his career as a fighter, Colgan made waves during his tenure in the now defunct Bellator organization, going 8-0 under their banner. Now a solid contender in the PFL, the Colorado phenom is looking to demonstrate he has what it takes to rip the belt away from the utterly dominant Nurmagomedov.
PFL New York Co-Main Event
Attracting mainstream attention throughout her stint in the promotion, Ditcheva has yet to face any meaningful adversity, winning two PFL flyweight tournaments with surprising ease. Eager to jump back into action following a lengthy year-long absence, the Englishwoman is coming to reassert herself as one of the preeminent 125-lb female athletes on planet earth.
A decorated hard-hitter on the European kickboxing scene, where she once earned the inaugural Bellator Kickboxing Women's Flyweight Championship, Kielholtz has proven to be a problem for most fighters on the feet. In the midst of a three-bout win streak, “Miss Dynamite” wants nothing more than to dispel the notion that the streaking Ditcheva is untouchable by handing “Dangerous” her first professional loss.
More Bouts on PFL New York Main Card
Also on the main card, Amru Magomedov and Angel Alvarez thrown down. Then, previous Bellator interim bantamweight king Raufeon Stots battles Lazaro Dayron.
PFL New York 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).
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UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
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PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
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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 Washington DC picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after PFL Washington DC:
1. Hank Strandberg: 121-53
2. Frazer Krohn: 97-72
3. Drew Zuhosky: 88-88
4. Andrew Benjamin: 20-20
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Lazaro Dayron -175
Vs.
Raufeon Stots +135
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Dayron by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Stots Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Stots Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Stots by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Dayron: 1
Staff picking Stots: 2
Amru Magomedov -3800
Vs.
Angel Alvarez +950
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Magomedov by First Round Submission
Drew Zuhosky: Alvarez by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Magomedov by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Magomedov by Second Round Submission
Staff picking Magomedov: 3
Staff picking Alvarez: 1
Dakota Ditcheva -8000
Vs.
Denise Kielholtz +1500
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Ditcheva by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Ditcheva by Second Round Submission
Frazer Krohn: Ditcheva by Second Round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Ditcheva by First Round Knockout
Staff picking Ditcheva: 4
Staff picking Rodriguez: 0
Usman Nurmagomedov -500
Vs.
Archie Colgan +300
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Nurmagomedov by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Colgan by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Nurmagomedov by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Nurmagomedov by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Nurmagomedov: 3
Staff picking Colgan: 1
