Undefeated PFL Champion returns to fight after being shot 5 times

Timur Khizriev, the undefeated 2024 PFL featherweight tournament champion, is set to return to competition at PFL Chicago on Saturday, October 16 at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN, marking his first fight in over a year following a harrowing incident in his native Dagestan. Khizriev was shot five times during an alleged robbery but has fully recovered and maintained his perfect 18-0 record.

Khizriev will face Gabriel Braga in a featherweight rematch at the Chicago card. The two previously met in the 2024 PFL tournament semifinals, where Khizriev edged Braga by split decision in a closely contested bout. Braga, currently ranked fifth in the featherweight division, will be competing in Chicago for the second time in 2026, having previously earned a unanimous decision over Cheyden Leialoha there in April.

With Khizriev ranked second in the division and Braga at fifth, their rematch carries significant implications for the featherweight title picture. A victory could position the winner closer to a title opportunity in a division that remains wide open.

The PFL Chicago card is headlined by a women's flyweight title rematch between Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop. Additional bouts on the card include Alexandr Shabliy vs. Landry Ward, Denis Goltsov vs. Maxwell Djantou Nana, and Sarvarjon Khamidov vs. Rafael do Nascimento.