Khamidov vs. do Nascimento Added to PFL Chicago Card

Sarvarjon Khamidov will face Rafael do Nascimento in a bantamweight bout at PFL Chicago on Oct. 16, promotion officials confirmed. The matchup adds another live pairing to a card already stacked with title and heavyweight action.

What's the significance of Khamidov vs. do Nascimento?

Khamidov (17-1) enters off a second-round submission win over PFL tournament finalist Justin Wetzell this past June, a result that marked his first appearance of 2026. A Bellator MMA and PFL veteran, Khamidov has quietly built one of the more efficient records in the bantamweight division, and beating a finalist like Wetzell only adds weight to his case as a contender. Do Nascimento (13-3) is moving in the opposite direction on the roster but with similar momentum. The Legacy Fighting Alliance product upset Lewis McGrillen-Evans by second-round submission in his PFL debut, announcing himself as more than a roster filler.

This is a classic gatekeeper test for do Nascimento. Khamidov has the higher pedigree and the better recent opposition, but do Nascimento has already shown he can finish fights on short notice inside the promotion. A submission win for either man would not be a shock given both come in on finishing streaks.

Where does this fit on the PFL Chicago card?

PFL Chicago is shaping up as one of the promotion's deeper fall cards. The night is headlined by the undisputed women's flyweight title rematch between Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop, run back from the 2025 PFL women's flyweight tournament final that Carmouche won by knockout. The promotion also recently added a heavyweight matchup between Denis Goltsov and Maxwell Djantou Nana. Slotting Khamidov and do Nascimento into that lineup gives the card a genuine bantamweight showcase to go with its two marquee attractions, and a strong showing from either fighter could put him in the mix for the next PFL bantamweight tournament run.

For bettors, this is the kind of fight worth tracking as lines open closer to fight week. Khamidov's finishing rate and experience against tournament-caliber competition should make him the favorite once markets post numbers, but do Nascimento's own finishing instincts make him live value if the price drifts too far in Khamidov's direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sarvarjon Khamidov fighting at PFL Chicago?

Sarvarjon Khamidov is set to face Rafael do Nascimento in a bantamweight bout at PFL Chicago on Oct. 16.

What is the main event of PFL Chicago?

PFL Chicago is headlined by the undisputed women's flyweight title rematch between Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop, a rematch of the 2025 PFL women's flyweight tournament final.

What are Sarvarjon Khamidov's and Rafael do Nascimento's records?

Sarvarjon Khamidov enters the bout with a 17-1 record, while Rafael do Nascimento is 13-3.