PFL 2025 World Tournament One to Watch: Phil Davis

Two Former World Champions Collide 💥@PhilMrWonderful and Rob Wilkinson kick off the 2025 PFL World Tournament with a 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗚

Only one will win and advance 👀

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[ #PFLWorldTournament | Thursday , May 1st | 📺 10PM EST | ESPN 2 ] pic.twitter.com/b0omKayRRM

— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 29, 2025

Plenty of excitement, upsets and finishes have marked the first three dates on the Professional Fighters League calendar, and the light heavyweights and heavyweights seem certain to follow a similar path. Former Bellator MMA titleholder Phil Davis highlights the 205-pound field, along with former PFL champions Antonio Carlos Jr. and Rob Wilkinson.

Many view Davis as the light heavyweight favorite ahead of his quarterfinal with Wilkinson in the PFL 2025 World Tournament 4 main event on Thursday at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. It provides “Mr. Wonderful” with a difficult test right out of the gate. If Davis can get through his opening-round opponent, it would become hard to bet against him throughout the rest of the tournament. Even though there have been plenty of upsets at other weights, no one considers Davis or Wilkinson an underdog. They have both seen everything the sport can throw at them.

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the PFL World Tournament LIVE Thursday, May 1 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

An Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator veteran, Davis has experienced virtually every obstacle imaginable and should come in with an edge. With 31 pro bouts under his belt, including several title fights, the four-time NCAA All-American wrestler enters the competition with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Not a slouch by any means, Wilkinson has also been tested throughout his career. He has been part of the PFL since 2002—he won the light heavyweight championship that year—and competed eight times under the company’s banner. Looking ahead at the bracket and how it was laid out, if Davis beats Wilkinson, a far less experienced opponent—either Marcelo Nunes or Sullivan Cauley—would await him in the semifinals.

Davis’ talent, experience and championship pedigree cannot be overlooked. It has been years since he held a world title around his waist, but he has continued to face the best competition available to him. As the PFL looks to build its brand under a new format, it may be a wise and experienced veteran who takes the light heavyweight tournament by storm and adds another title to his highly respected resume.