Mehdi Baydulaev books PFL debut for April card in Chicago
MMA Fighting
February 26, 2026
Mehdi Baydulaev and Islam Makhachev | Photo via Mehdi Baydulaev
Russian featherweight prospect Mehdi Baydulaev is set for his PFL debut.
Baydulaev competes on April 11 in Chicago, where he faces longtime PFL veteran and one-time tournament finalist Gabriel Braga. PFL officials confirmed the booking to MMA Fighting.
Baydulaev (19-2) is a former ACA bantamweight champion who trains alongside UFC welterweight king Islam Makhachev and retired star Khabib Nurmagomedov. He moved up to the featherweight in 2025, winning a decision in his most recent MMA fight.
In 19 pro bouts, Baydulaev has earned 13 stoppages, submitting nine opponents in his current 13-fight winning streak. The 30-year-old competed in a grappling match this past December, losing to UFC star Arman Tsarukyan in Moscow.
Braga (16-3) re-enters the cage 10 months after losing a trilogy bout with former PFL champion Jesus Pinedo, snapping his two-fight winning streak over Jeremy Kennedy and Frederik Dupras.
Braga holds a PFL record of 8-3 with a 50 percent finishing rate, including stoppages over one-time UFC title contender Marlon Moraes and PFL tournament finalist Bubba Jenkins.
PFL Chicago takes place at Wintrust Arena and sees ex-Bellator titleholder Sergio Pettis headlining opposite undefeated prospect Mitchell McKee, while Josh Silveira battles Jordan Newman in the co-main event.
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Originally published on MMA Fighting on 2/26/2026