PFL Chicago Delivers Thrilling Fights and Upsets

Undefeated Mitch McKee shocks former Bellator champ Sergio Pettis in main event

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:49am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the chaotic energy and multiple perspectives of a PFL fight, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The PFL's Chicago event delivered a night of thrilling, unpredictable fights that showcased the league's rising talent.Chicago Today

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) held an action-packed event in Chicago, Illinois, featuring several notable matchups and surprising results. In the main event, undefeated rising star Mitch McKee defeated former Bellator Bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis via unanimous decision. In the co-main, Renat Khavalov remained unbeaten by outworking Raufeon Stots. Other highlights included wins by Viviane Araujo, Jena Bishop, and Alexander Romanov.

Why it matters

The PFL is continuing to establish itself as a premier MMA promotion, attracting top-level talent and delivering thrilling fights. The Chicago event showcased the league's rising stars and provided some major upsets, generating excitement for the PFL's future events and the continued growth of the sport.

The details

In the main event, Mitch McKee, an undefeated prospect, pulled off a dominant unanimous decision victory over former Bellator champion Sergio Pettis. McKee improved his perfect professional record to 11-0 with the win. In the co-main event, Renat Khavalov continued his undefeated run, defeating Raufeon Stots via unanimous decision to move his record to 12-0. Other notable results included wins by Viviane Araujo, Jena Bishop, and Alexander Romanov.

  • The PFL Chicago event took place on Saturday, April 11, 2026 inside Wintrust Arena.

The players

Mitch McKee

An undefeated rising contender who defeated former Bellator champion Sergio Pettis in the main event.

Sergio Pettis

A former Bellator Bantamweight champion who suffered a unanimous decision loss to Mitch McKee in the main event.

Renat Khavalov

An undefeated fighter who won a unanimous decision over Raufeon Stots in the co-main event, improving his record to 12-0.

Viviane Araujo

A former UFC contender who won her PFL debut by defeating Shanna Young via unanimous decision.

Alexander Romanov

A heavyweight fighter who won via second-round submission on the undercard.

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What they’re saying

“Mitch McKee proved he's a force to be reckoned with in the PFL by taking out a former champion like Sergio Pettis. This is a huge win for his career.”

— Adam Guillen, Author

What’s next

The PFL will continue its 2026 season with upcoming events, as the league looks to crown new champions in each weight class. Fans will be eager to see if rising stars like Mitch McKee can maintain their momentum and make a run at the PFL title.

The takeaway

The PFL Chicago event showcased the league's depth of talent, with several up-and-coming fighters delivering impressive performances and pulling off notable upsets. This event has generated significant buzz for the PFL and its future, as the promotion continues to establish itself as a premier destination for elite MMA talent.