Best Bets: PFL World Tournament First Round April 11th Pre-Event Odds Analysis

Schedule and How To Watch the PFL World Tournament

Elora Dana and Diana Avsaragova have the first shot at glory on Friday, April 11th when the PFL World Tournament First Round Tournament returns. The Brazilian grapples the Russian at 8:15 PM ET, signaling the start of four hours of combat encounters. Liz Carmouche and Ilara Joanne bring the curtain down on Friday’s fighting at midnight when they enter the SmartCage.

Watch every fight from 8:15 PM until the late hours of the evening on ESPN 2, ESPN Deportes for Spanish speakers, and ESPN+. 

Odds Subject to Change

Please note, that the odds provided herein reflect the raw probability odds for this analysis and are based on the information available at the time of publishing. Different sportsbooks may adjust these odds based on market conditions, bettor behaviors, and other factors that could influence the betting landscape. For a deeper understanding of why odds for alternative sports betting change and how it might affect your betting strategy, we encourage you to read our detailed article: Why Do Alternative Sports Betting Odds Change? Make informed decisions and always check the latest odds with your sportsbook before placing bets.

Best Bets for First Round PFL World Tournament: Bantamweight and Women’s Flyweight

Key Matchups

Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche (-900) vs Ilara “Arya Stark” Joanne (+600) – Women’s Flyweight

Liz Carmouche carries a wealth of experience into her clash with Ilara Joanne, racking up 30 fights in her career. The American squares off as the favorite and offers a 4-inch leg reach advantage over her Brazilian opponent. Joanne has spent her fair share of time in the ring losing nine times in 21 appearances. “Arya Stark” won her last PFL battle in 2024 by decision versus Shanna Young.

Francesco “Berserker” Nuzzi (-278) vs. Mando “El Toro” Gutierrez (+225) – Bantamweight

Francesco Nuzzi and Mando Gutierrez cap off the men’s fights on Friday evening, with the Italian entering as the favorite. “Berserker” last fought in the Professional Fighters League back in 2023 when he knocked out Farbodiran Nezhad in the first round. “El Toro” makes his  PFL debut with a career record of 13 fights and 10 wins. The Mexican holds the height advantage over the Italian, but the fighters are evenly matched in the arms’ reach department.

Kasum Kasumov (-575) vs. Justin Wetzell (+425) – Bantamweight

The Russian Kasum Kasumov is the overwhelming favorite to take down Justin Wetzell at -575. Kasumov has only lost once in his 17 career bouts. He last entered the SmartCage in 2024, defeating Matheus Mattos by decision. He showed us that he’s not afraid to strike, landing 79% of his strikes. Justin Wetzell makes his maiden appearance in the PFL with a career record of 10 wins and two losses.

Juliana Velasquez (-185) vs. Ekaterina Shakalova (+154) –Women’s Flyweight

Brazilian Juliana Velasquez faces Ekaterina Shakalova with a 4-inch height advantage. Otherwise, these fighters appear evenly matched, carrying an 80% or better win rate into the bout. Velasquez landed 80% of her arm strikes last season, compared to her Ukrainian opponent’s 24.5%. 

Matheus Mattos (+102) vs. Jake Hadley (-122) – Flyweight

Matheus Mattos is back in Orlando for a shot at redemption after losing to Kasum Kasumov in the 2024 edition. The Brazilian is a beast on attack and landed 85% of his strikes last season, excelling in the arm strike department. His record isn’t enough for bettors who favor Jake Hadley for the win. The Englishman makes his PFL debut with a career record of 11 wins and four losses.

Expert Pick for PFL Round 1 4/11

Matheus Mattos earns our nomination as the expert pick for PFL Round 1 on April 11th. The Brazilian is priced as the underdog at +102 despite his threat on attack. Wagering $20 has the potential to return $40.40 if Mattos prevails.

Where to Bet on PFL Fights

Now that you’re armed with the latest odds and expert picks for the Featherweight and Bantamweight divisions in the PFL World Tournament, it’s time to place your bets. NXTbets has partnered with several reputable sportsbooks to ensure that you have a seamless betting experience. To bet on the first round of the PFL World Tournament, check out partnered sportsbooks. Simply follow the links to register an account, deposit funds, and start betting.