The PFL is back with more second-half regular season fights in the featherweight heavyweight divisions, as well as one key lightweight bout.
PFL 2022, Week 5 takes place Friday at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.
(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)
In the main event, Bruno Cappelozza (15-5) takes on Matheus Scheffel (15-8) at lightweight. Cappelozza is one of three heavyweights who have 6 points in the standings from first-round stoppage wins in their first fights. Cappelozza is a big favorite, and he’s one of six unanimous picks in seven fights on the main card from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers.
In the co-feature, Anthony Pettis (25-12) meets Stevie Ray (23-10) in the only lightweight bout on the card. Pettis is tied atop the standings with 6 points. A finish would guarantee him a playoff spot. He’s another of our many unanimous picks.
Also on the main card, Chris Wade (21-7) is in a five-way tie atop the featherweight standings with 3 points. He’s an 11-0 pick from our staff members against Kyle Bochniak (11-6).
Back at heavyweight, Renan Ferreira (9-2) has 6 points in the standings heading into his bout against Klidson Abreu (16-5), who has 3 points from a decision win in his first fight of the seasosn. Ferreira is more than a 4-1 favorite and a unanimous pick.
Ante Delija (20-5) is the biggest favorite on the card in his heavyweight bout against Shelton Graves (9-5). He has 5 points in the standings, just behind three fighters with 6. He’s a unanimous pick, as well.
Bubba Jenkins (17-5) has a unanimous nod in his featherweight bout against Reinaldo Ekson (18-5). Jenkins has 3 points and is part of the five-fighter deadlock atop the standings. Ekson is fighting for the first time in the regular season as a late replacement.
And to open the main card, Denis Goltsov (28-7) takes on late replacement Maurice Greene (10-6) at heavyweight. Goltsov has 6 points in the standings, and Greene is making his PFL debut. Goltsov is a 9-1 pick from our staff members.
In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Cappelozza (93 percent), Pettis (86 percent), Ferreira (87 percent), Wade (86 percent), Delija (69 percent), Jenkins (87 percent) and Goltsov (55 percent) are the choices.
Check out all the picks above.