The event marks the PFL's latest stop in Southern California and features a lineup headlined by one of the organization's biggest stars, former Bellator champion AJ McKee, who will square off against undefeated Russian featherweight Salamat Isbulaev in the night's main event.
Widely regarded as one of the most talented fighters outside the UFC, McKee enters the matchup looking to continue his climb through the PFL ranks. The Long Beach native burst onto the MMA scene during his Bellator tenure, where he captured the featherweight championship and established himself as one of the sport's premier homegrown talents. Standing across from him will be the unbeaten Isbulaev, whose dominant run has positioned him as one of the most dangerous featherweight prospects in the world.
The co-main event features a familiar face for San Diego fight fans as longtime local standout Liz Carmouche takes on former UFC title challenger Viviane Araújo in a women's flyweight showdown. Carmouche, who trains in San Diego and has competed at the highest levels of the sport for more than a decade, remains one of the region's most accomplished MMA athletes. A former UFC title challenger and Bellator champion, Carmouche will look to defend home turf against the Brazilian contender.
The card also includes a lightweight battle between Alexander Shabliy and Alfie Davis, as well as a light heavyweight matchup pitting Abraham Bably against former PFL champion Rob Wilkinson.
Additional featured bouts include:
• Magomed Magomedsharipov vs. Nathan Kelly Weems (Featherweight)
• Ariane Lipski da Silva vs. Jena Bishop (Women's Flyweight)
• Tyler Wetzell vs. Kasum Khamidov (Bantamweight)
• Gadzhi Khizriev vs. Brandon Parente (Lightweight)
• Claire Clark vs. Joanne Doyle (Women's Flyweight)
• Brett Fehr vs. Artur Bzdigian (Bantamweight)
The card also includes a lightweight battle between Alexander Shabliy and Alfie Davis, as well as a light heavyweight matchup pitting Abraham Bably against former PFL champion Rob Wilkinson.
Additional featured bouts include:
• Magomed Magomedsharipov vs. Nathan Kelly Weems (Featherweight)
• Ariane Lipski da Silva vs. Jena Bishop (Women's Flyweight)
• Tyler Wetzell vs. Kasum Khamidov (Bantamweight)
• Gadzhi Khizriev vs. Brandon Parente (Lightweight)
• Claire Clark vs. Joanne Doyle (Women's Flyweight)
• Brett Fehr vs. Artur Bzdigian (Bantamweight)
Founded in 2018, the Professional Fighters League has emerged as one of the world's leading MMA organizations, distinguishing itself with a season-based format that awards substantial prize money to champions. In recent years, the promotion has expanded aggressively through acquisitions and partnerships, including the purchase of Bellator MMA, adding many of the sport's biggest names to its roster.
San Diego has long served as one of the nation's premier hubs for mixed martial arts, producing and training numerous UFC, Bellator, and PFL champions. The region is home to world-renowned gyms including Alliance MMA, The Arena, Victory MMA, and others that have helped shape the careers of elite fighters from around the globe.
PFL San Diego Presented by GOVX takes place Saturday, June 27, at Pechanga Arena San Diego, located at 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard. Preliminary bouts begin at 4pm PDT and will stream on ESPN+, while the main card begins at 7pm PDT and will air nationally on ESPN2. Tickets are on sale now through AXS. For more information, visit pflmma.com.
Originally published on June 7, 2026.
San Diego has long served as one of the nation's premier hubs for mixed martial arts, producing and training numerous UFC, Bellator, and PFL champions. The region is home to world-renowned gyms including Alliance MMA, The Arena, Victory MMA, and others that have helped shape the careers of elite fighters from around the globe.
PFL San Diego Presented by GOVX takes place Saturday, June 27, at Pechanga Arena San Diego, located at 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard. Preliminary bouts begin at 4pm PDT and will stream on ESPN+, while the main card begins at 7pm PDT and will air nationally on ESPN2. Tickets are on sale now through AXS. For more information, visit pflmma.com.
Originally published on June 7, 2026.