PFL San Diego Staff Picks: Featherweight Contenders Square Off
PFL San Diego takes place tomorrow night. Who did our staff pick to win?
Marking the company’s first show in "America's Finest City," PFL San Diego brings a small but strong four-bout main card, headlined by former Bellator Featherweight Champion A. J. McKee, as he takes on undefeated phenom Salamat Isbulaev. In the co-main event, women’s mixed martial arts stalwart Liz Carmouche faces UFC veteran Viviane Araújo.
PFL San Diego Main Event
A previous face of Bellator MMA, McKee has long been-hailed as one of the greatest fighters on the planet. Eager to carve out a name for himself in a new organization, “Mercenary” makes his return to the smart cage after besting Ádám Borics this past March at PFL Madrid.
Starting his journey as a professional back in 2023, Isbulaev had embarked on a warpath through the European regional circuit, compiling nine wins in a row, finishing all but one opponent in the first round. Having already made his PFL debut last February with a vicious starching of Jesus Pinedo, the Russia native is making it clear that he is a problem for the rest of the featherweight division.
PFL San Diego Co-Main Event
Following a disappointing defeat to Taila Santos in 2024, Carmouche recorded one of the best years of her career by winning the PFL’s 2025 Women's Flyweight Tournament, cementing her place as a true elite in the 125-lb class. Seeking to replicate that same success in 2026, “Girl-Rilla” has just one prize firmly fixated in her eyes: the PFL flyweight title.
With 20 professional fights under her belt, Araújo has seen much over the course of her time as a mixed martial artist. Having logged a UFC record of 7-6, the Brazilian has traded blows with some of the best flyweights in the sport like Natália Silva, Tracy Cortez, and future champion Alexa Grasso.
More Bouts On the PFL San Diego Main Card
Also on the main card, Russian powerhouse Alexandr Shabliy locks horns with English contender Alfie Davis. Also, PFL Africa Heavyweight tournament winner Abraham Bably looks to conquer another weight category at light heavyweight when he tangos with Australian titan Rob Wilkinson.
PFL San Diego 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.
Find our PFL San Diego picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC Vegas 119:
1. Hank Strandberg: 101-45
2. Frazer Krohn: 81-60
3. Drew Zuhosky: 69-80
4. Andrew Benjamin: 18-18
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Abraham Bably -230
Vs.
Robert Wilkinson +195
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Wilkinson by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Wilkinson by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Bably by Third Round Knockout
Staff picking Bably: 1
Staff picking Wilkinson: 2
Alexandr Shabliy -400
Vs.
Alfie Davis +300
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg:Shabliy by Second Round Submission
Drew Zuhosky: Davis by First Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Davis by Second Round Knockout
Staff picking Shabliy: 1
Staff picking Davis: 2
Liz Carmouche -251
Vs.
Viviane Araújo +196
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Carmouche by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Carmouche by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Carmouche by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Carmouche: 3
Staff picking Araújo: 0
A.J. McKee -115
Vs.
Salamat Isbulaev -105
FEATHERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: McKee by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: McKee by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: McKee by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking McKee: 3
Staff picking Isbulaev: 0
