June 23 is the sixth regular-season date in the Professional Fighters League, a MMA organization based in the United States. The first three weeks of action took place in Las Vegas, and the next three moved to Atlanta, where Overtime Elite Arena will host the fighting. This week’s action will set the playoff rosters, and Friday’s headliner pits the defending PFL lightweight champ, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, against Anthony Romero. Aubin-Mercier came to PFL from UFC and has dominated action since, posting a seven-fight winning streak. This is Romero’s PFL debut, so it’s hard to imagine him getting a tougher start. He has fought in LFA and picked up a win on Dana White’s Contender Series. The co-main event pits the defending PFL welterweight champ, Sadibou Sy, against Shane Mitchell. Mitchell might have a hard time getting into the playoffs even if he does win; when he made his PFL debut, he lost unanimously on the cards to Nayib Lopez and would need a big win to get into the top four in the standings and advance to the playoffs. Let’s look some PFL betting predictions for the evening’s action.
PFL Analysis in Regular Season: Welterweights and Lightweights Preview
Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs Anthony Romero
Could be ugly and quick. Romero has been given an impossible task in his debut, one of the best MMA fighters in the last decade. Aubin-Mercier benefited significantly from moving to PFL. At UFC, he was just one lightweight in a very talented division, but now he is a dominant fighter in a smaller talent pool. He has a size advantage over most other lightweights in the PFL, and he focuses on getting the fight to the ground to take advantage. This time around, he won’t need to wrestle much; he should be able to get a quick submission.
Bet on Aubin-Mercier vs Romero!
Sadibou Sy vs Shane Mitchell
Is another fight that might not last long. Sy brings considerable striking power, and Mitchell’s defense hasn’t been that impressive so far. Sy won’t have an easy path to a title, as Magomed Umalatov and Magomed Magomedkerimov are waiting for him later in the playoffs. Magomedkerimov is a former PFL champ who couldn’t fight in 2022. He has a 13-0 record. Umalatov has also looked impregnable, stacking up knockouts. Mitchell is definitely a level or two below these three fighters, and Sy should be able to deliver a quick knockout.
Bet on Sy vs Mitchell!
Shane Burgos vs Yamato Nishikawa
Is Burgos’ PFL debut at 155 pounds. He started as a UFC prospect and ended up with a pair of wins in the promotion before heading to the PFL. He made his debut against the champion from 2022 and got shredded, but this weight class should be better for him. Nishikawa came to the PFL from Shooto, which is a more difficult transition. In Shooto, he won ten fights in a row, but when he entered the PFL, he lost to Clay Collard, and Burgos presents another tough matchup. Nishikawa does bring power in the striking game, but Burgos’ unusual footwork should keep him from absorbing too much punishment. I see Burgos winning on the cards.
Bet on Burgos vs Nishikawa!
An interesting preliminary card fight involves Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio. They are both former champs and they are also best friends. Both of them have lost to Aubin-Mercier, and both are on the outside when it comes to making the playoffs, but both could advance with a win. That motivation will make their friendship come second, and this is an extremely even fight.
Live PFL Betting Odds For Today
Xbet Betting Lines for the Fight
PFL Odds
Love betting MMA? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date MMA Lines
