Emiliano Sordi

Emiliano Sordi (born 15 February 1991) is an Argentine professional mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League, where he was the 2019 Light Heavyweight Tournament Champion. He has also formerly competed for Jungle Fight and Bellator MMA. As of August 21, 2026, he is #9 in the PFL light heavyweight rankings.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Emiliano Sordi started his MMA career in 2009, in the regional promotion Real Fights Argentina. His debut was a loss. He then fought for many promotions across South America, racking up a record of 11 wins and 4 losses.

Bellator MMA In 2014, Sordi signed with Bellator MMA. He debuted for the promotion with the event Bellator 128, on 10 October, winning against Bubba McDaniel via submission.

He fought two more times for the promotion, losing both times. The first was against A.J. Matthews at Bellator 141 on 28 August 2015, where he lost via TKO after his corner stopped the fight between rounds one and two. The second loss was against Gregory Babene at Bellator 166 on 2 December 2016, via a guillotine choke in the first round.

Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) After another 2 wins on the South American MMA regional scene, Sordi fought at Dana White's Contender Series 10 on 19 June 2018. His fight was against Ryan Spann and Sordi was submitted 26 seconds into the bout via a guillotine choke.

Professional Fighters League

PFL season 2018 In 2018, Sordi began competing in the Light heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League. He debuted in the event PFL 7, where he knocked out Jason Butcher in the first round. In his second fight for the promotion, Sordi lost to Bozigit Ataev at PFL 9.

PFL season 2019 Sordi started the 2019 season with a victory over Brazilian fighter Vinny Magalhães at PFL 3. He then avenged his 2018 loss against Bozigit Ataev with a knockout victory at PFL 6.

With those two victories, Sordi qualified for the 2019 PFL Tournament Playoffs at PFL 9. He beat Sigi Pesaleli and Bozigit Ataev on the same night, qualifying for the tournament final.

On 21 December 2019, Sordi faced Jordan Johnson at PFL 10 at Madison Square Garden in New York City to determine the 2019 PLF Tournament Champion. Sordi won via knockout on the first round and became the first Argentine PFL Tournament Champion

PFL season 2020 The PFL 2020 season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic

PFL season 2021 Sordi started the 2021 season at PFL 2, where he beat Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision. He then fought Dan Spohn to a draw at PFL 5, qualifying to the 2021 playoffs.

At PFL 9, Sordi lost via unanimous decision to Antônio Carlos Júnior, who would later then become the PFL 2021 Light Heavyweight Tournament Champion.

PFL season 2022 Sordi was expected to face Josh Silveira at PFL 1, but his opponent pulled out of the fight three days before the event. Sordi instead faced late-replacement Cory Hendricks, and lost via technical knockout.

At PFL 4, Sordi lost to Delan Monte. With two losses, Sordi failed to qualify to the playoffs.

Post PFL In 2023, Sordi decided to leave PFL and signed a one-fight deal with UAE Warriors. He fought Asylzhan Bakhytzhanuly at UAE Warriors 36, and lost via technical knockout.

Sordi beat Markus Perez in May 2023.

Global Fight League On 11 December 2024, it was announced that Sordi was signed by Global Fight League. However, in April 2025, it was reported that all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.

Return to PFL Sordi faced Simeon Powell on May 2, 2026, at PFL Sioux Falls. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.

Championships and accomplishments

Professional Fighters League 2019 Light Heavyweight Championship

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Simeon Powell TKO (knee) PFL Sioux Falls: Storley vs. Zendeli

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Win

Tom Breese Submission (rear-naked choke) FNC 25

Varaždin, Croatia Win

Marcos Brigagão KO (punches) XFC 52

Iowa City, Iowa, United States Win

Hugo Lezama TKO (punches) Fusion FC 79

Buenos Aires, Argentina Loss

Diyar Nurgozhay TKO (punches) UAE Warriors 50

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Markus Perez Decision (unanimous) Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 4

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Loss

Asylzhan Bakhytzhanuly TKO (punches) UAE Warriors 36

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Delan Monte TKO (punches) PFL 4 (2022)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Loss

Cory Hendricks TKO (punches) PFL 1 (2022)

Arlington, Texas, United States Loss

Antônio Carlos Júnior Decision (unanimous) PFL 9 (2021)

Hollywood, Florida, United States Draw

Dan Spohn Draw (unanimous) PFL 5 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Chris Camozzi Decision (unanimous) PFL 2 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jordan Johnson TKO (punches) PFL 10 (2019)

New York City, New York, United States Win

Bozigit Ataev Submission (rear-naked choke)

Win

Sigi Pesaleli TKO (punches)

Win

Bozigit Ataev KO (punches) PFL 6 (2019)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Vinny Magalhães TKO (punches) PFL 3 (2019)

Uniondale, New York, United States Loss

Bozigit Ataev TKO (punches) PFL 9 (2018)

Long Beach, California, United States Win

Jason Butcher KO (punch) PFL 7 (2018)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Ryan Spann Submission (guillotine choke) Dana White's Contender Series 10

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Douglas Rakchal TKO (punches) Arena Tour 9

Buenos Aires, Argentina Win

Jackson Mora Rodriguez TKO (punches) Fusion FC 25

Lima, Peru Loss

Gregory Babene Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 166

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Fernando di Pierro TKO (punches) Arena Tour 7

Buenos Aires, Argentina Loss

AJ Matthews TKO (retirement) Bellator 141

Temecula, California, United States Win

Bubba McDaniel Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 128

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Alexandre Oliveira KO (punches) X-Fight MMA 7

Araraquara, Brazil Win

Vander Carlini TKO (punches) Peru FC 14

Lima, Peru Win

Pedro Galiza TKO (rib injury) Capital Fight 5

Brasília, Brazil Loss

Kaue Dudus Submission (anaconda choke) Infinity MMA 2

Asunción, Paraguay Win

Ivan Galaz Submission (rear-naked choke) Rio Cuarto Fight 3

Río Cuarto, Argentina Win

Jackson Mora Rodriguez Submission (armbar) Conviction MMA 3

Buenos Aires, Argentina Win

Fabiano Capoani TKO (punches) Amazon Forest Combat 2

Manaus, Brazil Loss

Kleber Silva TKO (punches) Jungle Fight 36

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Bruno Cappelozza Submission (guillotine choke) Jungle Fight 35

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Pablo Alvarez TKO (head kick and punches) Glam Fight

Buenos Aires, Argentina Win

Cesar Veron TKO (punches) Dojo Serpiente: Club de la Pelea

Castelar, Argentina Loss

Willians Santos Decision (unanimous) Jungle Fight 29

Serra, Brazil Win

Lautaro Jauregui Lorda TKO (punches) Rio Cuarto Fight 1

Río Cuarto, Argentina Win

Ricardo Pecanha TKO (punches) X-Combat Ultra: International Grand Prix

Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil Win

Diego Palau Submission (guillotine choke) Explosion Fight Night 2

Mar del Plata, Argentina Loss

Roberto Pastuch Submission (arm-triangle choke) Real Fights 6

Buenos Aires, Argentina Karate Combat record Win

Zac Pauga TKO (punches) Karate Combat 57

Miami, Florida, United States