The Titans Clash in Riyadh: PFL vs. Bellator 2026 Preview
It has been over two years since the Professional Fighters League acquired Bellator, and while the initial “Seasons” have played out, the combat sports world is still waiting for the definitive establishment of hierarchy. The PFL vs. Bellator 2026 Superfight Card, rumored for May in Riyadh, isn’t just an event; it is the final exam for the PFL’s massive investment. With the 2025 season winners crowned and the “Super Fight” champions resting, the stage is set for the most violent night of the year.
We aren’t looking at safe matchmaking here. Based on the current trajectory of champions like Usman Nurmagomedov and the heavyweight chaos caused by Vadim Nemkov‘s ascent, here is the predicted card that will define 2026.
The Main Event: Francis Ngannou vs. Vadim Nemkov
Heavyweight Superfight Championship
This is the only fight that makes sense. Francis Ngannou, the lineal king of heavyweights, returned to the cage in late 2024 to remind everyone that his right hand is a nuclear deterrent. But his inactivity remains a frustration for fans. Enter Vadim Nemkov.
The Stylistic Clash:
After vacating his Light Heavyweight strap and claiming the PFL Heavyweight title in December 2025, Nemkov has looked faster and more technical than any big man on the roster. This is the classic “Bull vs. Matador” scenario, but the Matador is a Sambo world champion with legitimate knockout power.
Ngannou thrives on chaos and counter-striking when opponents overextend. Nemkov, however, is disciplined. He doesn’t blitz; he picks apart. The question is simple: Can Nemkov survive the first clean connection? If he drags Francis into the championship rounds, the cardio advantage shifts heavily to the Russian.
Co-Main Event: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov
Lightweight World Title Unification
Usman Nurmagomedov has looked untouchable. His victory over Paul Hughes in 2025 cemented him as arguably the best lightweight on the planet outside of the UFC. But the PFL tournament format churns out killers, and 2025 Season Winner Gadzhi Rabadanov has earned this shot through sheer grit.
The Stylistic Clash:
This is high-level Dagestani chess. Both men know the system. Both men wrestle at an elite level. Usually, these matchups turn into kickboxing bouts because the grappling cancels out. Usman has the more dynamic, creative striking arsenal—spinning kicks, question-mark kicks, and range management. Rabadanov is a pressure cooker. He needs to close the distance and make this ugly. If Usman is allowed to fight at range, he will pick Rabadanov apart for 25 minutes.
Feature Bout: Costello van Steenis vs. Fabian Edwards
Middleweight Championship
Costello van Steenis shocked the world in July 2025 by dethroning the seemingly invincible Johnny Eblen. It was a tactical masterclass that exposed holes in Eblen’s pressure game. Now, he faces Fabian Edwards, who rebounded from his own loss to Eblen to win the 2025 PFL Middleweight Tournament.
The Stylistic Clash:
Edwards is a sniper. He is patient, sometimes to a fault. Van Steenis is a grappler who has fallen in love with his hands. The key here is the clinch. Van Steenis dominated Eblen in the tie-ups, draining the wrestler’s gas tank. Edwards hates being crowded. If Van Steenis can bully Edwards against the fence, the belt stays in Europe.
The “Hot Take” Prediction
Francis Ngannou Will Lose (And Retire)
Here is the reality no one at the PFL offices wants to discuss: Francis Ngannou is fighting the ghost of his prime.
While the PFL marketing machine sells him as the “Baddest Man on the Planet,” his MMA activity has been sporadic at best. Vadim Nemkov is active, he is technically superior in every facet of mixed martial arts except raw power, and he has the cardio to push a pace Ngannou hasn’t seen since the first Stipe Miocic fight.
My prediction? Nemkov survives a scary first round, starts chopping Ngannou’s legs in the second, and finds a TKO finish in the fourth round when an exhausted Ngannou can no longer defend himself. It will be the end of the Ngannou era, and the beginning of Nemkov’s reign as the heavyweight GOAT.
Event Details: How to Watch
- Date: Projected for May 2026
- Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV (USA), DAZN (International)
Stay tuned to MMAAILM.EE for official confirmation and breaking news on the undercard additions.
