PFL Europe 2: Berlin fight card confirmed as Francesco Nuzzi headlines against Farbod Iran Nezhad
- Planet Sport writer
- 21 April 2023
PFL Europe returns this weekend for the second installment of the $100,000 tournament.
The Professional Fighters League has announced the main card for PFL Europe 2, taking place on Saturday, July 8 at the Verti Music Hall in Berlin.
German-based bantamweight Farbod Iran Nezhad will headline against Italy's Francesco Nuzzi, who enters PFL Europe in incredible form having won his last eight fights.
The co-main event will star German striking specialist Khurshed Kakhorov up against the hugely experienced Mokhtar Benkaci from France, as both fighters look to book their place in the 2023 PFL Europe Playoffs.
Further action in the bantamweight division will see Frans "Black Mamba" Mlambo face off against former Cage Warriors Champion, Dominique "Black Panther" Wooding.
The unbeaten Ali Taleb from Sweden will also be in action as he squares off against Swiss star Kenj Bortoluzzi.
In the Lightweight division, Ireland's Dylan Tuke matches up with Liverpool sensation, the undefeated Connor Hughes, while Latvian Alex "Pretty Boy" Chizov, who is unbeaten in nearly six-years, faces Spain's Acoidan Duque.
Rounding up the lightweight division will show Geisym Derouiche, fighting out of Marseille, France, to face Cork's own John Mitchel.
Both with six wins, undefeated, and looking to carry on their streaks, whilst Italy's Radu Maxim will take on Poland's Jakub Kaszuba.
The fight card has been overseen by Dan Hardy, who joined the company as Director of Fighter Operations of PFL Europe last month.
He said: "This event brings together the best Mixed Martial Arts talent from across Europe in the bantamweight and lightweight divisions.
"PFL Europe 2 represents the first step on a $100,000 journey, which will see one fighter from each bracket crowned the first European Champion.
"This is why I believe that Berlin is the perfect host city for these inaugural European championships. The German MMA fans are highly educated in the sport, and will appreciate the level of athletes competing at this event."
Hardy added: "Every one of these fighters has the potential to change their lives, and July 8th is the beginning of that year-long journey to the top of European MMA.
"Four lightweight bouts will be followed by four bantamweight bouts, with all sixteen fighters trying to secure a spot in the Playoffs in Paris, in September.
"We will have regional talents in feature bouts throughout this card, as well as the two German representatives in the bantamweight division topping the bill against tough opposition from France and Italy.
"This event will set a new precedent in European MMA, and the fans in attendance will witness the highest level of MMA in Europe today."
Full PFL Europe 2 fight card:
Francesco Nuzzi (9-1, Italy) vs Farbod Iran Nezhad (11-2, Germany)
Mokhtar Benkaci (20-7, France) vs Khurshed Kakhorov (9-1, Germany)
Frans Mlambo (13-5, Ireland) vs Dominique Wooding (9-5, United Kingdom)
Ali Taleb (8-0, Sweden) vs Kenji Bortoluzzi (11-4, Switzerland)
Alex Chizov (10-1, Latvia) vs Acoidan Duque (17-4, Spain)
Connor Hughes (7-0, United Kingdom) vs Dylan Tuke (5-3, Ireland)
Radu Maxim (10-2, Italy) vs Jakub Kaszuba (8-0, Poland)
John Mitchell (6-1, Ireland) vs Geisym Derouiche (6-2, France)
