The PFL’s third event to open the 2022 season is cut short this week with the women’s lightweight and welterweight getting their first action.
PFL 2022, Week 3 takes place on Friday at the Esports Arena in Arlington, Texas. The main card airs on ESPN2 followed by prelims on ESPN+.
(Click here to open PDF of Staff Pick Grid in a separate window.)
In the main event, two-time women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison (12-0) is back and set her unbeaten record against Marina Mokhnatkina (6-2). Harrison is a huge favorite at numbers above 50-1. Not surprisingly, all 11 of our editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are taking Harrison as one of four unanimous picks on the main card.
In a co-feature, two-time welterweight champ Ray Cooper III (24-7-1) begins his third title hunt against Carlos Leal (16-3). Cooper is the favorite over 4-1 and the second of our unanimous picks.
Also on the main card, former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis (24-12) will try to make a disappointing 0-2 start to his PFL career in 2021 when he opens his welterweight to Miles Price (11-7) Will meet you Season. The favorite Pettis is an 11-0 unanimous pick from our staff members.
And to open the main card, former Bellator champion Rory MacDonald (22-8-1) will look to make a comeback in 2021 as well as Brett Cooper (28-15). The favorite over 3-1, McDonald’s is our fourth unanimous pick.
In the MMA Junkie reader consensus, Harrison (87 percent), Cooper III (86 percent), Pettis (83 percent) and McDonald (90 percent) are the choices.
