McKee targets unbeaten Isbulaev in PFL San Diego featherweight main event

Former Bellator featherweight champion A.J. McKee stepped into the PFL San Diego main event at Pechange Arena on Saturday night looking to hand undefeated Salamat Isbulaev the first loss of his professional career.

McKee arrived at 24-2 and in strong form, having gone 2-0 since dropping back down to the 145-pound division with back-to-back victories over Adam Borics and Akhmed Magomedov. Standing in his way was Isbulaev, who entered at 10-0 and had made an immediate impression in his PFL debut this past February, stopping veteran Jesus Pinedo by first-round knockout.

The co-main event brought together two former UFC fighters with significant pedigree. Liz Carmouche — a former Bellator champion, 2025 PFL tournament winner, and one-time UFC title challenger — faced Viviane Araujo in a women’s bout that added considerable weight to an already stacked card. Carmouche came in at 25-8, Araujo at 14-7.

Alexander Shabliy and Alfie Davis met at lightweight on the main card, while Abraham Bably and Rob Wilkinson clashed in a light heavyweight contest rounding out the televised portion of the evening.

The preliminary card featured six bouts, including Khasan Magomedsharipov against Joshua Weems, Ariane Lipski da Silva taking on Jena Bishop, and Justin Wetzell facing Sarvarjon Khamidov.

Full PFL San Diego Results

Main Card

A.J. McKee vs. Salamat Isbulaev

Liz Carmouche vs. Viviane Araujo

Alexander Shabliy vs. Alfie Davis

Abraham Bably vs. Rob Wilkinson

Preliminary Card

Khasan Magomedsharipov vs. Joshua Weems

Ariane Lipski da Silva vs. Jena Bishop

Justin Wetzell vs. Sarvarjon Khamidov

Gamid Khizriev vs. Lorenzo Parente

Shannon Clark vs. Ilara Joanne

Cobey Fehr vs. Daniel Bzdigian