Emiliano Zendeli, the reigning PFL Europe welterweight champion, will headline the Professional Fighters League (PFL) event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, this Saturday, May 2nd. He is set to face Logan Storley in a highly anticipated welterweight bout at the Sanford Pentagon.

Zendeli's Transition to the New PFL Format

Zendeli secured the PFL Europe welterweight tournament title in 2024 and followed it up with a unanimous decision victory at PFL Champions Series 3 on October 3, 2025. Now, he enters a PFL that has moved away from its traditional tournament format in favor of a ranking system.

A Preference for Rankings

Zendeli expressed his approval of the new system, stating, “The tournament was good because you have everybody who is going up as they’re winning, so the two best fighters in the tournament are fighting each other in the finale, but for me, the rankings system is much better for my situation. I have time for recovery, time to fight, and you get to see who is where in the rankings, who they’re fighting; and it’s easier to plan, so I like the rankings much more.”

Facing Storley on His Home Turf

The 27-year-old Albanian fighter is preparing to take on Logan Storley, a former interim champion with a potential home-field advantage. Despite this, Zendeli remains focused and undeterred.

Unfazed by the Crowd

“Look, for me, it’s fighting,” Zendeli said. “If I fight in my home or the home of my opponent or any other city, it doesn’t matter. We fight in the cage. The cage is my home. I have respect for all fans of Logan Storley and also have respect for Logan Storley, but I am just going in there for a fight. I’m going in there for a win.”

A Clash of Wrestling Styles

The welterweight showdown will air live on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. ET. The matchup is expected to be a compelling contest of wrestling skills, as Storley is a four-time NCAA All-American wrestler from the University of Minnesota.

Zendeli Confident in His Abilities

Zendeli, who describes himself as a wrestler with strong striking, believes he has the edge. “Logan and I fighting is like one in the same,” he explained. “He’s also a wrestler with good striking, and me, too. I’m more of a wrestler. I have a little bit better striking, but for me, it doesn’t matter whether it’s striking or wrestling. I am ready for a fight. This is MMA. I think I’m much better than him everywhere. Our wrestling is going to be a good match because I come from a mountain. My wrestling is not from college; it’s from a mountain. It’s going to be a hard night for Logan. He’s going to see.”

From Albania to the U.S. Stage

This fight marks Zendeli’s first appearance in the United States, and he is eager to impress a new audience. He reflected on his journey from a small city in Albania with limited resources to competing at the highest level.

A Pursuit of Top Competition

“I come from a small city in Albania and when I was there, I didn’t have a gym or anything,” Zendeli said. “I come here to the States just for the high level of fighters and opponents, and I’d just like the fans to respect me for that. I came from nothing to be in the United States, to become world champion and to fight the high-level guys.”

In other PFL news, Emiliano Sordi is scheduled for a quick return in Sioux Falls, and the promotion has finalized a 12-bout lineup for its Brussels card on May 23.