A new-look PFL kicks off from Universal Studios in Orlando on April 3 with former PFL and Bellator champions all over the field. This season will feature eight bracket-style tournaments of eight fights each, divided by weight class, on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+. The first two divisions in action will be welterweight and featherweight, headlined by former Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson and former PFL featherweight champion Jesus Pinedo.

Below are ESPN’s choices for the four most enticing matchups of the first round and four more we’d love to see in the championship rounds.

Best first round matchups

Welterweight: Jason Jackson vs. Andrey Koreshkov, April 3

Two former Bellator champions will clash in the first round and the winner will likely be the favorite to win the championship. Jackson is looking to rebound from his most recent Bellator title fight loss to Ramazan Kuramagomedov at Bellator Champions Series Dublin last June. And Koreshkov is likely on his last run of a very successful MMA career. This fight should be a lot of fun as Koreshkov has elite striking ability and knockout power, while Jackson fights with a menacing pace and his wrestling game is difficult to defend against.

Featherweight: Adam Borics vs. Jesus Pinedo, April 3

This will be the first matchup for Pinedo since winning the 2023 PFL featherweight title. After losing to Gabriel Braga in the opening round in 2023, Pinedo bounced back with KO wins over Brendan Loughnane, Bubba Jenkins, and Braga to claim the championship and put the MMA world on notice that he is a force to be reckoned with. Both Pinedo and Borics prefer to strike and are always looking for the knockout. This matchup has fight of the night written all over it.

Lightweight: Marc Diakiese vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov, April 18

After winning the PFL lightweight championship last season, Rabadanov has a chance to go back-to-back. This is a compelling first-round matchup, as Diakiese can present problems to last year’s champ. Rabadanov, who is known for his wrestling prowess, showed that he is also a striking threat on the feet. However, in this fight, Diakiese will have the edge in striking and with his improved wrestling game, this fight might be closer than how the oddsmakers might see it.

Light heavyweight: Phil Davis vs. Rob Wilkinson, May 1

Wilkinson, the 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion, looks to bounce back after his semifinal loss to Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov last season. Standing in his way is Davis, a seasoned veteran and standout wrestler. This could be Davis’ last chance to show the world he is amongst the best at 205 pounds. He will must utilize that world-class wrestling if he plans to avoid the devastating knockout power of Wilkinson.

Potential championship matchups

The four fighters from each weight class who win their first-round matches will move on to the semifinal rounds in June. Win again and it’s on to the finals in August. If the fates align, we’d love to see these fighters on the championship cards.

Middleweight: Impa Kasanganay vs. Aaron Jeffery

Kasanganay, a former PFL 2023 light heavyweight titlist and last year’s runner-up is heading back to his natural weight class this year. Kasanganay has KO power that can change the fight at any time. A fight between Kasanganay and Jeffrey would be entertaining, as both men carry tremendous knockout power. Jeffery would look to push a tough pace and lean on his wrestling game, while Kasanganay has unlimited cardio and great takedown defense. This fight would be a fun chess match.

Lightweight: Alexander Shabliy vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov

Rabadanov and Shabliy are the two best fighters in this division not named Usman Nurmagomedov, and I would like to see them fight it out in the five-round championship final. Shabliy had a quiet but successful career in Bellator, with his only loss coming against Nurmagomedov. Shabily is the only one in the tournament who has the cardio and well-rounded skillset to match up well with Rabadanov.

Welterweight: Jason Jackson vs. Magomed Umalatov

Umalatov is coming off the first loss of his career, and unfortunately it was against Shamil Musaev in last season’s welterweight championship. Both men have a strong wrestling background and, if the fight stays on the feet, both have the ability to get a knockout.

Featherweight: Jesus Pinedo vs. Movlid Khaybulaev

Khaybulaev was looking to win his second consecutive PFL championship, but an injury forced him out of the competition ahead of the 2022 season. In addition to being a former PFL champ, Khaybulaev holds the promotional record for fastest KO. It would be a lot of fun to see two former champions with very different fighting styles compete to see who can get that second title. Could Khaybulaev take down Pinedo and hold him there? Or would Pinedo keep the fight on the feet and do what no one has been able to do: defeat Khaybulaev.