Mitch McKee Defeats Sergio Pettis in PFL Chicago Main Event

CHICAGO (April 11, 2026) – The Professional Fighters League (PFL) delivered an electrifying night of combat sports action in Chicago on Saturday, captivating the audience at the Wintrust Arena.

In the highly anticipated main event, Mitch McKee (11-0) extended his undefeated streak, securing a unanimous decision win against the top-ranked Sergio Pettis (25-8). McKee, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American, effectively employed his wrestling prowess to disrupt Pettis' strategy, showcasing multiple submission threats against the former Bellator Champion.

This significant victory over the division's number one bantamweight contender positions McKee for a likely entry into the Top 10 of the upcoming rankings.

The co-main event featured a compelling clash between two elite grapplers: two-time NCAA Division II Champion Raufeon Stots (21-4) and the undefeated No. 6-ranked Renat Khavalov (12-0). The bout was a closely fought battle, with both fighters demonstrating their skills and inflicting damage from dominant positions.

The pivotal moment occurred in the third round when Stots landed a forceful knee that sent Khavalov to the canvas. Despite this impactful sequence, the judges unanimously scored the fight in favor of Khavalov, who continues his unbeaten professional career.

In a bout between seasoned UFC veterans, No. 10-ranked Viviane Araujo (13-7) and Shanna Young (11-8) engaged in a spirited 15-minute contest. While both fighters had their moments, Araujo gradually took control, ultimately earning a unanimous 30-27 decision in her PFL debut.

The main card kicked off with a featherweight bout between No. 4-ranked Gabriel Braga (17-3) and Cheyden Leialoha (11-3). Initially, Leialoha, a native of Hawaii, utilized his strong grappling to counter Braga's formidable striking.

However, Braga weathered the early storm and asserted his dominance as the fight progressed. A strong performance in the second and third rounds sealed the victory for the Brazilian, who secured a unanimous decision.

The previously scheduled middleweight bout between No. 5-ranked Jordan Newman (8-0) and No. 6-ranked Josh Silveira (15-5) was unfortunately canceled due to Newman's withdrawal.

PFL Chicago Main Card Results:

• Mitch McKee def. Sergio Pettis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Renat Khavalov def. Raufeon Stots via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Viviane Araujo def. Shanna Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Gabriel Braga def. Cheyden Leialoha via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Card Results:

• Jena Bishop def. Borena Tsertsvadze via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:21 of round one
• Omar El Dafrawy def. James Vake via KO at 1:12 of round one
• Paulina Wisniewska def. Kana Watanabe via TKO (strikes) at 3:15 of round two
• Alexandr Romanov def. Rodrigo Nascimento via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:10 of round two
• Biaggio Ali Walsh def. Dash Harris via TKO (punches) at :44 of round one
• Valanti Atsas def. Nate Jennerman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)