Preview: PFL 2025 World Tournament 4

Heavyweight Quarterfinal

Alexander Romanov (18-3, 0-0 PFL) vs. Tim Johnson (18-11, 1-2 PFL): Romanov comes into this matchup having lost three of his last five fights, but the Moldovan clubber has the potential to cause damage in his fresh start with the PFL. Johnson is an excellent dance partner to welcome Romanov to the SmartCage. The 40-year-old is known for either finishing or being finished. He has lost two straight, but no one puts together a 15-year fighting career without working through some ups and downs.

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the PFL World Tournament LIVE Thursday, May 1 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

Heavyweight Quarterfinal

Oleg Popov (19-2, 3-1 PFL) vs. Karl Williams (10-2, 0-0 PFL): Popov shredded the competition during the PFL season last year before being ousted by Dennis Goltsov in the final. Popov, a Fedor Team standout, thrives off heavy combinations and intense wrestling but has become known for his slow starts. Williams is a late replacement for PFL vet Linton Vassell, but the Virgin Islands native is up to the tall task. The UFC vet is looking to bounce back from a decision loss last August but was riding the high on a seven-fight winning streak previously.

Heavyweight Quarterfinal

Rodrigo Nascimento (11-3, 0-0 PFL) vs. Abraham Bably (5-1, 2-1 PFL): Nascimento, aka “Yogi Bear,” hasn’t won a fight in two years and comes into his PFL debut off back-to-back losses to Derrick Lewis and the aforementioned Romanov. Bably is a rising English heavyweight prospect with explosive power, but his gas tank failed him in his last fight. He started strong against Slim Trabelsi but faded over the final two rounds before suffering his first loss as a professional.

Light Heavyweight Quarterfinal

Marcelo Nunes (11-2, 4-1 PFL) vs. Sullivan Cauley (6-1, 0-0 PFL): Nunes guarantees chaos every time he steps in the cage. In 13 professional fights, he has never heard the final bell. The Brazilian is a skilled submission artist who can put opponents away with his signature triangle choke. Cauley hails from Mesa, Arizona, and like Nunes, he has never gone the distance. In fact, he has never even made it out of the first round. This could be one of the most violent fights of the night because these guys understand they are not being paid by the hour.

Light Heavyweight Alternate

Alex Polizzi (11-4, 1-1 PFL) vs. Rafael Xavier (13-8, 0-0 PFL): Xavier comes into his PFL debut with a host of valuable experience from Bellator and Oktagon MMA. Throughout his 13 wins, “Kratos” has stopped 11 opponents and is coming off a razor-thin loss to Simeon Powell. Polizzi, a former Division I wrestler, snapped a three-fight skid in his last outing, as he decisioned Antonio Carlos Jr.

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Davis vs. Wilkinson
Moldavsky vs. Bilostenniy
Moore vs. Carlos Jr.
Albrektsson vs. Powell
The Prelims