The Professional Fighters League has officially announced a late-breaking adjustment to its upcoming fight card ahead of the promotion’s highly anticipated return to the Windy City. With the event rapidly approaching at the Wintrust Arena, matchmakers and executives have been forced to tinker with the preliminary matchups following an unfortunate withdrawal that altered the evening’s competitive landscape.
According to announcements made by the promotion across its official social media channels, lightweight prospect Morquez Forest has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout due to undisclosed reasons. Forest, who carries a commendable 8-2 professional record into his career endeavors, was initially slated to feature prominently on the preliminary portion of the Chicago card. His sudden absence, however, opened the door for a fresh face to seize a major promotional opportunity on a high-profile stage.
Stepping into the fray on relatively short notice is Brock Hamer. Holding a 5-1 professional record, Hamer will officially make his promotional debut under the Professional Fighters League banner on Friday, October 16. Welcoming him to the cage will be the formidable and undefeated Levan Khabalaev. Khabalaev boasts an unblemished 6-0 record and has steadily built a reputation as a dangerous prospect within the lightweight division. With both competitors eager to make a lasting impression on the organization’s leadership and international audience, the hastily arranged pairing promises to deliver high-stakes action right from the opening bell.
The late-notice matchup adds an extra layer of intrigue to a deeply stacked fight card that features world championship stakes and elite divisional battles. As mixed martial arts fans turn their attention toward Illinois, the event is set to broadcast live to a global audience, delivering a full slate of professional bouts designed to highlight both established veterans and rising contenders within the sport.
High-Stakes Championship Rematch Headlines PFL Chicago
While preliminary adjustments like the Khabalaev-versus-Hamer bout provide crucial depth to the early portion of the event, the absolute focal point of the evening remains a historic title fight at the top of the bill. The promotion’s return to the Wintrust Arena is officially headlined by a high-stakes flyweight championship rematch that carries immense significance for the women’s division.
Veteran standout Liz Carmouche, boasting a veteran’s poise and a stellar 26-8 professional record, is set to lock horns once again with Jena Bishop, who enters the championship clash with an 11-3 resume. This high-profile encounter serves as the battleground for the inaugural Professional Fighters League women’s flyweight world championship. Both athletes have carved out dominant paths within the sport, and their renewed collision offers a definitive chapter in an evolving divisional rivalry.
The co-main event provides an equally compelling stylistic and athletic showcase, spotlighting the featherweight division. Unbeaten powerhouse Timur Khizriev, whose pristine record sits at a flawless 18-0, is scheduled to step into the cage against rugged contender Gabriel Braga. Braga, holding a 17-3 professional mark, represents a severe test for the undefeated Khizriev, with both men vying for supremacy and positioning themselves at the very top of the featherweight hierarchy.
The extensive fight card features a diverse array of weight classes and international talent, ensuring that the live crowd in Chicago and viewers tuning in from home will witness a comprehensive display of elite mixed martial arts competition. From bantamweight battles to heavyweight collisions, the finalized lineup reflects the deep roster cultivated by the promotion over recent years.
Updated PFL Chicago Fight Card: Liz Carmouche vs. Jena Bishop 2 Headlines Oct. 16 Event
With the recent lineup adjustments finalized, the complete bout order for the upcoming event at the Wintrust Arena highlights a packed evening of combat sports entertainment. The official fight card spans multiple weight classes and features international athletes competing across both preliminary and main card segments:
Liz Carmouche vs. Jena Bishop — Women’s flyweight championship
Timur Khizriev vs. Gabriel Braga — Featherweight
Sarvarjon Khamidov vs. Rafael do Nascimento — Bantamweight
Oualy Tanda vs. J.P. Saint Louis — Welterweight
Eliezer Kubanza vs. Trey Waters — Welterweight
Emiliano Sordi vs. Abraham Bably — Light heavyweight
Cassio Barao vs. Kevin Pease — Lightweight
Shannon Clark vs. Lucero Acosta — Women’s flyweight
Gamid Khizriev vs. Michael Boylan — Lightweight
Cobey Fehr vs. Rosario Romero — Bantamweight
Levan Khabalaev vs. Brock Hamer — Lightweight
Paulina Wisniewska vs. Chelsea Hackett — Women’s flyweight
Noah Hermosillo vs. Caden Cox — Featherweight
Benita van Rooij vs. Giulliany Perea Vieira — Women’s strawweight
The event is structured to accommodate viewers across different time zones and broadcast formats. Early card action is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. ET, available for viewing on the ESPN App, allowing dedicated fans to catch every preliminary contest, including the newly minted lightweight clash between Levan Khabalaev and promotional newcomer Brock Hamer.
As the evening progresses, the broadcast transitions to the main card, which is set to air live at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The telecast will culminate in the historic inaugural women’s flyweight world championship rematch between Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop, sealing an eventful night of professional mixed martial arts action in Chicago.
