PFL Tampa Weigh-Ins & Preview: Cris Cyborg vs. Ketlen Vieira
PFL Tampa arrives at Benchmark International Arena on August 22 with one of the strangest twists possible for Cris Cyborg’s final PFL appearance. What was booked as a women’s featherweight title defense against Ketlen Vieira changed dramatically at the official weigh-ins: Cyborg hit championship weight at 145 pounds, while Vieira came in at 152.2.
The ceremonial weigh-ins put the two Brazilians face-to-face one final time before a main event that will now take place at a 153-pound catchweight. Vieira is not eligible to become champion after missing weight. Cyborg, however, has agreed to vacate her PFL featherweight title if she loses; a victory means she leaves the night still champion.
Cris Cyborg vs. Ketlen Vieira takes an unexpected turn
The Cris Cyborg vs. Ketlen Vieira matchup was originally announced as Cyborg’s final MMA fight and another defense of the PFL Women’s Featherweight World Championship. Cyborg enters at 29-2 with one no contest, while Vieira arrives at 16-5 for her PFL debut after a long UFC run.
The weight miss removes Vieira’s chance to leave Tampa with the belt, but it arguably makes Cyborg’s assignment more unusual. She will give up more than seven pounds on the scale to a challenger who spent much of her career competing at bantamweight. Cyborg nevertheless accepted the fight rather than risk losing the main event entirely.
For more on how the matchup came together, read MMAtown’s original Cyborg vs. Vieira retirement-fight announcement, or watch our deeper Cris Cyborg vs. Ketlen Vieira preview.
Gadzhi Rabadanov faces Tracy Reeder in the co-main event
The lightweight co-main event brings former PFL tournament champion Gadzhi Rabadanov back against promotional newcomer Tracy Reeder. The Rabadanov vs. Reeder matchup remained intact at the scales, with Rabadanov weighing 156 pounds and Reeder 155.6.
Rabadanov enters at 27-5-2 and brings the experience of already reaching the top of the PFL lightweight field. Reeder comes in at 12-5 on a five-fight winning streak, with every victory during that run coming by finish. It is a significant jump in opposition for the American and one of the clearest veteran-versus-momentum matchups on the card.
Luke Trainer gets an unbeaten opponent
At light heavyweight, Luke Trainer vs. Roland Dunlap pairs the 10-1 Trainer with an undefeated Dunlap at 7-0. Both successfully made weight, with Trainer at 205.6 and Dunlap at 205.8.
Trainer has already established himself near the top of PFL’s light heavyweight group, while Dunlap gets the opportunity to turn an unbeaten regional run into a major result immediately. On a card built around several experienced names facing newcomers or rising talent, this may be one of the most interesting tests.
Basharat vs. Ibragimov strengthens the bantamweight card
The preliminary lineup has unusual depth at bantamweight. Javid Basharat vs. Movsar Ibragimov brings together two fighters looking to establish themselves inside PFL’s growing 135-pound division. Both made 136 pounds at the official weigh-ins.
Marcirley Alves vs. Nkosi Ndebele is also set to go ahead as a catchweight bout. Alves weighed 141.8 pounds, with Ndebele at 140.4, adding another notable matchup to the early card.
Van Steenis, Sheridan and the rest of the prelims
The lightweight prelims include Gino Van Steenis vs. Robert Watley, while undefeated Irish welterweight Eoin Sheridan meets James Vake in Sheridan vs. Vake. Sheridan enters at 5-0, with Vake bringing a 7-2 professional record.
One originally scheduled fight will not happen. Florim Zendeli was unable to weigh in, and PFL officially removed his welterweight bout with Omran Chaaban from the card. That leaves PFL Tampa with 11 fights after the late cancellation.
PFL Tampa closes the 2026 Summer Series
The event also marks the final stop of the PFL Summer Series, following cards in San Diego, Austin, Washington D.C., New York and Charlotte. The prelims begin at 5:30 p.m. ET, with the four-fight main card starting at 9 p.m. ET.
After Tampa, PFL’s schedule shifts back toward its regional tournaments. PFL MENA 11 takes place October 2 in Riyadh, followed by PFL Africa: Morocco on October 10 in Casablanca.
For Tampa, though, everything revolves around an unusual final chapter for Cyborg’s PFL run. She made championship weight, Vieira did not, and the fight survived anyway. The ceremonial face-off now leads into a main event where only Cyborg can leave with the belt — but she can still lose it.