PFL Sioux Falls Staff Picks: Thrilling Welterweights Take Command of the SmartCage

PFL Sioux Falls brings the action to the Sanford Pentagon this weekend. For their first excursion to The Mount Rushmore State, the promotion is putting on a thrilling headlining bout, which sees former title challenger Logan Storley locking horns with Florim Zendeli. In the co-main event, the lightweights occupy the SmartCage, with Russian phenom Gadzhi Rabadanov tusseling with Aleksandr Chizov.

PFL Sioux Falls Main Event

With his decade of mixed martial arts experience and impeccable college wrestling background, Storley has risen to nearly the summit of the welterweight rankings. While a bitter loss to Thad Jean last year saw him lose his chance at adding another world title to his legacy, “Storm” is determined to make 2026 the year where he gets undisputed PFL gold wrapped around his waist.

A European wrecking ball, Zendeli has remained unbeaten over the last four years. Although he does stand as a legitimate prospect in the company, the European can become a bonafide contender in the weight class with a resounding win over the established Storely.

PFL Sioux Falls Co-Main Event

Last year, Rabadanov was viewed as one of the premier lightweight names on the planet, but a baffling loss to Alfie Davis saw his monumental 12-fight winning streak come to a dramatic conclusion. Heading into a new year of possibilities, the Dagestan native is back and ready to prove that he is still a fighter to be feared.

Announcing himself as a preeminent athlete in 2025 by winning the PFL Europe 155-lb tournament, Chizov had managed to turn a lot of heads his way. Not resting on his laurels in the slightest, “Pretty Boy” is on the prowl for even larger prizes, a major world championship.

More Bouts On the PFL Sioux Falls Main Card

Also on the main card, Simeon Powell and Emiliano Sordi throw down. Then, heavyweight standout Renan Ferreira meets Sergey Bilostenniy. Finally, bantamweight elites collide when Magomed Magomedov battles Leandro Higo.

PFL Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls picks and fight odds below.

Staff records after One Samurai: 

1. Hank Strandberg: 56-33

2. Frazer Krohn: 52-38

3. Drew Zuhosky: 43-45

4. Andrew Benjamin: 11-10

;*Note – not all staff pick for every event*

 

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Magomed Magomedov -550

Vs.

Leandro Higo +400 

BANTAMWEIGHT

 

Hank Strandberg: Magomedov by Unanimous Decision

Drew Zuhosky: Higo by First-Round Knockout

Frazer Krohn: Magomedov by Unanimous Decision

Staff picking Magomedov: 2

Staff picking Higo: 1

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Sergey Bilostenniy -115

Vs.

Renan Ferreira -105

HEAVYWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Bilostenniy by Unanimous Decision

Drew Zuhosky: Ferreira by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Krohn: Ferreira by First-Round Knockout 

Staff picking Bilostenniy: 1

Staff picking Ferreira: 2

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Simeon Powell -400

Vs.

Emiliano Sordi +300

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Powell by First-Round Knockout

Drew Zuhosky: Sordi by First-Round Knockout

Frazer Krohn: Powell by Unanimous Decision

Staff picking Powell: 2

Staff picking Sordi: 1

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Gadzhi Rabadanov -800

Vs.

Aleksandr Chizov +550

LIGHTWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Rabadanov by First Round Knockout

Drew Zuhosky: Rabadanov by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Krohn: Chizov by Second-Round Submission

Staff picking Rabadanov: 2

Staff picking Chizov: 1

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Logan Storley -220

Vs.

Florim Zendeli +185

WELTERWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Storley by Unanimous Decision

Drew Zuhosky: Storley by First-Round Submission

Frazer Krohn: Storley by Unanimous Decision

Staff picking Storely: 3

Staff picking Zendeli: 0