Khizriev Returns After Surviving Five Gunshots

Timur Khizriev will return to the cage at PFL Chicago on Oct. 16, more than a year after he was shot five times in his native Dagestan.

Sources confirmed to Sherdog that the undefeated former PFL featherweight tournament champion will face Gabriel Braga in a rematch. Khizriev survived an alleged robbery attempt in his homeland that left him with five gunshot wounds and kept him sidelined for over a year. He carries an 18-0 record into the bout.

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Khizriev-Braga Rematch Set For October

The matchup is a rematch of their 2024 PFL tournament semifinal, which Khizriev won by split decision. Braga fought at the same Chicago venue in April, taking a unanimous decision over Cheyden Leialoha. That marked his first appearance of 2026.

Khizriev has not competed since defeating Brendan Loughnane to claim the 2024 PFL featherweight tournament title. He is currently ranked second in the division, while Braga sits at No. 5. The outcome could shape the title picture at 145 pounds.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to PFL Chicago on Ticketmaster →

PFL Chicago airs on ESPN at 11 p.m. ET and features a women's flyweight title rematch between Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop in the main event. Also on the card: Alexandr Shabliy versus Landry Ward, Denis Goltsov versus Maxwell Djantou Nana, and Sarvarjon Khamidov versus Rafael do Nascimento.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Undefeated PFL Champion returns to fight after being shot 5 times