Preview: PFL 7 ‘Jenkins vs. Pinedo’

Welterweights

Thad Jean (5-0, 0-0 PFL) vs. Ali Omar (5-2, 0-0 PFL): Jean showed enough potential in a decision victory over Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder Eric Alequin in January to earn a PFL contract. In that bout, the 25-year-old Floridian showcased decent speed and power in his hands, as well as the ability to blend in kicks to his attacks. Omar, meanwhile, captured a contentious split decision against Sanon Sadeck in his PFL Challenger Series bout. While Omar displayed some decent striking variety, he struggled at times in wrestling and grappling exchanges. Jean is bigger and seems to be more dangerous on the feet. He wins via KO/TKO.

Women’s Flyweights

Desiree Yanez (7-4, 0-0 PFL) vs. Lisa Mauldin (5-3, 0-0 PFL): A veteran of Bellator and Combate Americas, Yanez has lost some close decisions at the highest level, but her overall experience should be an asset. While Yanez earned a PFL contract in a back-and-forth decision win over Maira Mazar on the PFL Challenger Series, Mauldin relied on takedowns and ground-and-pound to put away Helen Peralta via TKO in the third round on the same card. If Yanez can remain upright consistently, she will take a competitive decision.

Welterweights

Anthony Ivy (10-7, 0-0 PFL) vs. Carson Hardman (12-3, 0-0 PFL): After enduring a five-bout skid from 2020 to 2022, two-time UFC veteran Ivy enters his PFL debut on a two-fight winning streak. The Brazilian Top Team San Antonio product has encountered decent opposition, with notable losses to the likes of Bassil Hafez and Bryan Barberena on his resume. Hardman, meanwhile, has won three consecutive outings on the regional scene and has finished 11 of his 12 victories inside the distance. At 28, Hardman would seem to have the greater upside than his 33-year-old counterpart, but both athletes have faltered against better competition. Ivy by submission is the pick.

Women’s Flyweights

Chelsea Hackett (3-1-1, 0-0 PFL) vs. Ky Bennett (3-2, 0-0 PFL): A muay thai specialist with skilled kicks and countering ability, Hackett struggled when she was unable to control the distance during a loss to Victoria Leonardo on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020. This will be her first MMA appearance since that defeat. Bennett, meanwhile, is coming off a second-round stoppage of Kendal Holowell at an Invicta Fighting Championships show in May, which followed a layoff of her own that lasted nearly two years. Both flyweights are young with plenty of room for improvement. Hackett uses her striking pedigree to control distance and win a decision.

Light Heavyweights

Billy Elekana (5-1, 0-0 PFL) vs. Chuck Campbell (5-2, 0-0 PFL): Elekana demonstrated dangerous knees, solid clinch work and stout takedown defense in a clear-cut decision triumph over Tristan Overig on the PFL Challenger Series in March. Campbell, an American Top Team product, had a four-bout unbeaten streak snapped in a fourth-round KO loss to Modestas Bukauskas in a title fight at Cage Warriors 148 in December. At 6-foot-4, the rangier Campbell will provide some interesting challenges for Elekana, who might be best served to get inside. Campbell via decision is the pick.