Fabricio Werdum and Kayla Harrison will make their 2021 debuts for the Professional Fighters League this Thursday night at PFL 3 live on ESPN.
After the first two PFL events aired live on ESPN2 and ESPN+, this main card shifts to ESPN. Action will also stream live on ESPN+.
Werdum, a former UFC heavyweight champion, will compete for the first time as a PFL athlete against Renan Ferreira as the heavyweight regular season kicks off.
The PFL has already brought out the likes of Anthony Pettis and Rory MacDonald, with Pettis suffering a loss and MacDonald a dominating win. Werdum will try to follow the pattern of MacDonald against an imposing opponent in Ferreira.
Harrison, meanwhile, is a former Olympic gold medalist who remains unbeaten in her career. She has worked her way to PFL gold and will look to do the same again starting with Mariana Morais.
Six other bouts are set for the ESPN main card including Mohammed Usman, the brother of UFC champion Kamaru Usman. He faces Brandon Sayles with Denis Goltsov and Justin Willis meeting in another heavyweight contest.
Larissa Pacheco, who has faced off with Harrison before, looks to make her way to the women’s final by starting off with a win against Julija Pajic. Cindy Dandois and Katilin Young, two experienced female fighters, also square off.
PFL 3 Fight Card
Fabricio Werdum vs. Renan Ferreira
Kayla Harrison vs. Mariana Morais
Mohammed Usman vs Brandon Sayles
Larissa Pacheco vs. Julija Pajic
Ante Delija vs. Bruno Cappelozza
Cindy Dandois vs. Kaitlin Young
Genah Fabian vs. Laura Sanchez
Denis Goltsov vs. Justin Willis
ESPN+ Fight (5:30 pm ET)