Fabricio Werdum is a former UFC heavyweight champion. He is a multiple-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion. And on Thursday night, he will begin his quest to be a PFL champion.
The 43-year-old from Brazil, who trains in Southern California, will be making his debut with the fight promotion when he faces fellow Brazilian and fellow PFL newcomer Renan Ferreira in the main event at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The co-main event features 2019 women’s lightweight season champion Kayla Harrison, who faces Mariana Marais. Harrison (8-0), a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, is 30 years old and trains at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. Morais, a 26-year-old from Brazil, is 16-10.
Werdum (24-9-1) last fought in July, when he submitted Alexander Gustafsson in his UFC swan song. He became champ in 2015, tapping out Cain Velasquez, and lost the belt to Stipe Miocic in his first title defense.
Ferreira, who is 31, stands 6-foot-8 and has a 6-2 record.
Follow along throughout the night for live updates and analysis as the PFL wraps up its first round of regular season fights in 2021.
Still to come at PFL 3…
ESPN, 9 p.m. ET
Fabricio Werdum vs. Renan Ferreira | Heavyweight
Kayla Harrison vs. Mariana Morais | Women’s lightweight
Mohammed Usman vs. Brandon Sayles | Heavyweight
Larissa Pacheco vs. Julija Pajic | Women’s lightweight
ESPN/ESPN+ simulcast, 7 p.m. ET
Ante Delija vs. Bruno Cappelozza | Heavyweight
Cindy Dandois vs. Kaitlin Young | Women’s lightweight
Genah Fabian vs. Laura Sanchez | Women’s lightweight
Denis Goltsov vs. Muhammed DeReese | Heavyweight
ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. ET
Olena Kolesnyk vs. Taylor Guardado | Women’s lightweight
Magomed Umalatov vs. Kyron Bowen | Welterweight showcase (non-season)