Former Bellator champion and UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald will make his much-anticipated debut for Professional Fighters League in April.
MacDonald will be chasing the welterweight title when the PFL season kicks off live on the ESPN family of networks on April 29.
Joining MacDonald in the welterweight regular season will be 2019 champion Ray Cooper III, 2018 champion Magomed Magomedkerimov, David Michaud, Nikolai Aleksakhin, Joao Zeferino and Sadibou Sy.
MacDonald, who ran through the Bellator 170-pound division, has been involved in some of the biggest fights in MMA history. He has had wars with the likes of Robbie Lawler, Douglas Lima, Tyron Woodley and countless others.
“We are excited to share the remaining rosters with the community as the PFL continues to prepare for the upcoming season,” said PFL CEO, Pete Murray. “The unique technology and innovation that the league brings is something that our fans and the MMA community will be able to experience first-hand and we can’t wait to showcase it all during the matchups.”
Emiliano Sordi is back at light heavyweight to defend his title against a group of fighters including Jordan Young, Chris Camozzi and Tom Lawlor.
Sordi, a 29-year-old, has scored four consecutive victories and is now 22-8 overall in his career with 16 wins by knockout and six more by submission.
“The welterweight division might be the deepest weight class in the PFL,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations, Ray Sefo. “With the addition of Rory [MacDonald] to our two returning champions, there are no easy fights. The light heavyweights are stacked as well with Sordi and all the new top talent we’ve added. April 29 is going to be a fun night of fights.”
Along with Sordi, Young, Camozzi and Lawlor, Cezar Ferreira, Marthin Hamlet, Jordan Johnson, Smealinho Rama and Dan Spohn complete the light heavyweight season.
The 2021 PFL Season will begin April 23 on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ in primetime. The remaining Regular Season events will take place on April 29, May 6, June 10, June 17, and June 25.