PFL Chicago: Pettis vs. McKee Results & Recap | Professional Fighters

Date: 2026-04-13 Event: PFL Chicago Venue: Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois Event Date: 2026-04-11

1. McKee Scores Major Upset Over Pettis in Main Event

The main event of PFL Chicago delivered the evening's most significant upset, as undefeated wrestling powerhouse Mitchell McKee (11-0) made a stunning promotional debut by defeating former Bellator bantamweight champion and highly-regarded veteran Sergio Pettis (25-8) via unanimous decision. The victory, secured with identical 29-28 scorecards from all three judges, served as a definitive statement, immediately establishing McKee as a formidable new contender in the PFL's bantamweight division.

Strategic Breakdown: A Masterclass in Wrestling Dominance

The fight's narrative was written almost entirely by McKee's strategic application of his world-class wrestling. A two-time NCAA Division I All-American, McKee neutralized Pettis's vaunted striking game by relentlessly pursuing and securing takedowns, dictating the pace, location, and terms of engagement for the majority of the 15-minute contest. Pettis, known for his technical and fluid striking, found himself unable to establish rhythm or mount any significant offense from his feet, as he was consistently forced to defend the takedown or fight from his back.

Round-by-Round Analysis

Round 1: McKee wasted no time imposing his will. He initiated the offense on the feet, catching Pettis's attention with a spectacular spinning elbow in the opening exchange. This striking threat served as a perfect setup for his primary game plan. Shortly after, McKee closed the distance, secured a powerful takedown, and immediately began to smother Pettis on the canvas. From top position, McKee maintained heavy pressure, controlling Pettis's posture and mixing in effective ground-and-pound to score points and solidify his dominance for the entirety of the round.
Round 2: The second frame began much like the first, with McKee securing another takedown within the first 45 seconds. From his back, Pettis demonstrated his veteran savvy and dangerous submission game, actively threatening with multiple triangle choke attempts. These submission threats were the most significant offense Pettis mounted in the entire fight, forcing McKee to be positionally aware and defensively sound. However, McKee's elite wrestling base and grappling control proved sufficient to navigate the danger, defend the submissions effectively, and maintain his dominant top position, continuing to accumulate control time and wear on Pettis.
Round 3: Described by analysts as "more one-way traffic," the final round saw McKee seal his victory with the same relentless pressure. Recognizing he was likely down on the scorecards, Pettis attempted to increase his striking output, but he had no answer for McKee's persistent wrestling. McKee secured yet another takedown and effectively coasted to a decisive victory, controlling the grappling exchanges and leaving no doubt in the judges' minds as to who had controlled the fight.

Impact and Implications

For Sergio Pettis, the loss marks a significant setback. He was unable to find an answer to a pure, high-level wrestling attack, a vulnerability that future opponents will undoubtedly seek to exploit. While his submission attempts showed he remains a threat from any position, his inability to keep the fight standing was his ultimate undoing.

For Mitchell McKee, the victory is a career-defining moment. In his PFL debut, he defeated a top-ranked former world champion, extended his professional record to a perfect 11-0, and proved that his wrestling credentials translate seamlessly to the highest levels of mixed martial arts. This performance will almost certainly catapult him into the top 10 of the bantamweight rankings and positions him as a legitimate threat to the divisional elite.

2. Khavalov Grinds Out Win Against Former Champ Stots

In the night's co-main event, another significant upset unfolded as undefeated Dagestani prospect Renat Khavalov (12-0) earned a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over former Bellator interim bantamweight champion and the #2-ranked Raufeon Stots (20-3). The judges all scored the bout 29-28 in favor of Khavalov, who utilized a control-heavy, grinding style to neutralize his opponent and secure the biggest win of his career.

Tactical Analysis: The Dagestani Blueprint

Khavalov, a prodigy from the esteemed camp of Khabib Nurmagomedov, executed a game plan reflective of his Dagestani grappling pedigree. The fight was not a high-action striking affair but rather a tactical battle of attrition, with Khavalov consistently imposing his will in the clinch and on the mat.

The key to Khavalov's victory was his overwhelming control throughout the first 10 minutes of the fight. In rounds one and two, he successfully closed the distance, initiated clinch exchanges against the cage, and worked for takedowns. This strategy was highly effective in draining the energy of Stots and preventing him from utilizing his own NCAA wrestling background or dynamic striking.

Statistically, the grappling advantage was clear. Khavalov successfully landed two takedowns during the bout, while Stots was unable to secure a single one. From these dominant positions, Khavalov did not simply hold position; he remained offensively active, landing "double the shots" of Stots. This included a steady diet of short, punishing strikes on the inside during clinch exchanges and effective ground-and-pound when the fight was on the mat.

By the third round, Stots found some success, landing what were described as "more effective strikes" as he desperately tried to mount a comeback. However, the damage was already done. Khavalov had built an insurmountable lead on the scorecards through his early dominance, and Stots's late-fight efforts were not enough to sway the judges or secure a finish.

Fighter Profile and Future Outlook

This victory maintains Renat Khavalov's perfect 12-0 professional record. His career statistics show a fighter capable of finishing (7 KO/TKO wins, 64%) but also comfortable grinding out victories (now 5 decision wins). His performance against a top-tier opponent like Stots validates his status as a legitimate top contender. Training at the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School has clearly instilled in him the suffocating wrestling and control-based style that has proven so effective, and he now emerges as a major player in the hunt for the PFL bantamweight title.

For Raufeon Stots, the loss is a considerable hurdle. Despite his own strong wrestling credentials, he was out-grappled and controlled for two rounds, a scenario he has rarely faced. He will need to reassess his approach to opponents who can match or exceed his wrestling pressure to reclaim his position at the very top of the division.

3. Inconclusive End to Newman vs. Silveira Bout

The highly anticipated middleweight co-main event between #5-ranked Jordan Newman (8-0) and #6-ranked Josh Silveira (15-5) was abruptly canceled just minutes before the preliminary card was set to begin. The fight was called off due to a last-minute, undisclosed injury sustained by Jordan Newman.

The cancellation was a significant blow to the card, as the matchup was a pivotal one for the middleweight division, pitting two top-ranked, credentialed fighters against one another. Both athletes had successfully made weight on April 10, and the bout was expected to be a competitive and high-stakes affair.

Clarification on No Contest Rulings in Illinois

While this specific bout did not take place, the initial report plan's anticipation of a No Contest (NC) ruling provides an opportunity to analyze the specific regulations governing such outcomes under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Athletic Commission. Had the fight proceeded and been stopped due to a foul, a specific set of rules would have applied.

According to the Illinois Administrative Code (Title 68, Section 1370.630), the determination of a bout's outcome after a foul is contingent on two key factors: the intent of the foul and the round in which it occurs.

Accidental Fouls: If a referee determines that an accidental foul has caused an injury severe enough to stop the fight, the outcome depends on the timing:
- No Contest: If the foul occurs during the first two rounds of a three-round, non-championship fight (or the first three rounds of a five-round championship fight), the bout is declared a No Contest. Neither fighter is credited with a win or a loss.
- Technical Decision: If the accidental foul occurs after the second round of a non-championship fight (or after the third of a championship fight), the bout goes to the judges' scorecards. The winner is determined by scoring the completed rounds plus the partial round in which the stoppage occurred.
Intentional Fouls: If a referee deems a foul to be intentional and it causes an injury that immediately terminates the bout, the fighter who committed the foul is disqualified.

This regulatory framework is crucial for ensuring fair outcomes in the chaotic event of a fight-ending foul. The distinction between accidental and intentional is at the referee's discretion, and the round-based cutoff for a technical decision ensures that a fighter who is clearly winning a bout is not denied a victory due to a late, accidental foul.

4. Undercard Delivers Decisive Finishes

The PFL Chicago undercard was highlighted by four fighters who refused to leave the outcome in the hands of the judges, securing definitive stoppage victories.

Alexander Romanov: Submission (Unspecified)

Heavyweight powerhouse Alexander "King Kong" Romanov showcased his world-class grappling by securing a submission victory. While the specific opponent and technique were part of a broader showcase, the win was a textbook demonstration of his suffocating style. Romanov's pedigree is immense: a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, a two-time UWW grappling European bronze medalist, and a decorated freestyle wrestler who represented Moldova on eight European Teams. His MMA strategy is built on this foundation, utilizing his raw physical strength to execute powerful takedowns. Once on the mat, he employs suffocating top control and is a known finisher, with a significant portion of his career wins coming via submission, including a demonstrated proficiency with the North-South Choke. This victory was another testament to his status as one of the most dangerous grapplers in the heavyweight division.

Jena Bishop: Submission (Unspecified)

Grappling specialist Jena Bishop added another submission to her record, defeating Borena Tsertsvadze. Bishop is one of the most credentialed BJJ practitioners in MMA, and her victory was a direct result of this elite skill set. A black belt under JW Wright in the Royler Gracie lineage, Bishop's competitive resume is staggering: she is an IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2017), an ADCC East Coast Trials Winner (2019), and a former IBJJF World Champion at brown belt. Known for an aggressive and scrappy grappling style, she has translated her BJJ success seamlessly to MMA, with over 55% of her professional victories coming by way of submission. Her ability to control opponents and hunt for submissions makes her a constant threat whenever the fight hits the canvas.

Paulina Wiśniewska: TKO (Ground n' Pound)

2024 PFL Europe women's flyweight champion Paulina Wiśniewska delivered a dominant performance, stopping Kana Watanabe via TKO at 3:15 of the second round. Wiśniewska's victory was a product of "relentless pressure and technical precision." After a competitive first round, she began to take over in the second, ultimately securing a dominant position on the ground. From there, she unleashed a torrent of ground-and-pound strikes, forcing the referee to intervene and call a halt to the contest. The win reinforces her status as a top-tier flyweight with a well-rounded and aggressive skill set.

Omar El Dafrawy: Knockout (Punch)

Egyptian welterweight Omar El Dafrawy produced the night's fastest and most violent finish, knocking out James Vake in just 1 minute and 12 seconds of the first round. A boxing specialist known for his formidable power, El Dafrawy immediately established his range, using kicks to keep Vake at bay. As Vake attempted to close the distance, El Dafrawy uncorked a devastating left hand that dropped Vake to the mat instantly, ending the fight in spectacular fashion. Training under renowned striking coach Mike Valle and crediting a previous coach for giving him "cannonballs in his hands," El Dafrawy is the inaugural PFL MENA welterweight champion and is currently riding an impressive winning streak. This quick knockout victory serves as a stark warning to the rest of the welterweight division.

5. PFL Chicago: Full Event Results

Fight	Winner	Method	Round	Time
Mitchell McKee vs. Sergio Pettis	Mitchell McKee	Unanimous Decision	3	5:00
Renat Khavalov vs. Raufeon Stots	Renat Khavalov	Unanimous Decision	3	5:00
Jordan Newman vs. Josh Silveira	-	Canceled	-	-
Alexander Romanov vs. Opponent	Alexander Romanov	Submission	1	2:23
Jena Bishop vs. Borena Tsertsvadze	Jena Bishop	Submission (Armbar)	1	3:55
Paulina Wiśniewska vs. Kana Watanabe	Paulina Wiśniewska	TKO (Ground n' Pound)	2	3:15
Omar El Dafrawy vs. James Vake	Omar El Dafrawy	KO (Punch)	1	1:12
Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. Dash Harris	Biaggio Ali Walsh	TKO (Punches)	1	0:44
Tyler Diamond vs. Otto Rodrigues	Tyler Diamond	Unanimous Decision	3	5:00