Powell has another significant obstacle in front of him in the
Professional Fighters League light heavyweight division.
The
Great Britain Top Team standout will attempt to bounce back
from his second career loss when he faces Emiliano
Sordi in a
PFL Sioux Falls showcase on Saturday at the Sanford Pentagon in
South Dakota. It serves as a major test for Powell, who dropped a
unanimous decision to Antonio
Carlos Jr. in the 2025 PFL World Tournament light heavyweight
semifinals in his most recent outing on June 27. Like many of his
peers, he sounds intrigued by what the future holds as the PFL
leans into its new-look rankings system.
Powell: Rankings system ‘suits me better’
“I’m really, really excited,” Powell told Sherdog.com. “I’m hearing
a few things that they’re working on, and I’m actually a fan of
this ranking system over the tournament. I think that suits me
better. I think the tournament puts a lot of pressure on you, and
you’re always thinking about not getting injured throughout the
different rounds of it. It’s very hard structurally as a fighter,
but as for the rankings system, I think that will suit me a lot
better.”
Powell currently sits at No. 6 in the PFL light heavyweight
rankings, offering him a clear perspective of the work that needs
to be done within the division.
“That’s exactly what it is,” he said. “I get to see where
everything is laid out in front of me, and we’ll get the best
fights for the fans, as well. I’m not one to look too far into the
future, but it’s like you can already see what sort of matchups
that could play out. I envision that route for me to the belt, and
it’s exciting.”
Powell has grown up physically and mentally in the PFL, having
fought under the company’s banner since 2022. He draws his
motivation from within.
“I just want to be the best at something,” Powell said. “I just
want to stamp my mark on this planet, leave something behind from
me. I guess my path that God led me down was fighting, and I love
it. I’m good at it. I feel like this is what I will leave, this is
how I’ll leave my mark on the world. If not, I’ll use this as a
tool to leave my mark on the world. I just truly want to leave my
mark and be the best at something.”
Over the past four years, Powell has been featured and promoted
prominently by the PFL. Now 27, he understands the value in moving
forward at the right pace.
“I would tell my younger self to be patient,” Powell said. “Back
then, I wanted everything immediately, everything right now. I
wanted everything quick and instant, but now I realize, ‘Hey,
patience is a big thing.’ I’d just tell myself to be a bit more
patient, keep grinding and your time will come.”
Sordi has all of Powell’s attention at the moment. The 41-fight
veteran returns to the PFL for the first time in almost four years,
though he compiled a 7-4-1 record in 11 previous appearances with
the organization. Powell expects to rise to the occasion.
“I just feel like no one has ever truly seen me at my best, ever,”
he said. “I feel like they’re going to get the closest version of
that they will ever see. There won’t be any doubt from myself.
There won’t be any hesitation. There will just be me at my best
self and just ready to perform and put on a great show.”
Powell believes his talent and maturity have begun to merge.
“I think they go hand in hand, really,” he said. “I think a lot of
my downfalls were immaturity of the game and stuff like that, so I
think me being mature and getting older, getting wiser, also leads
to being mentally stronger, being able to cope under pressure. I
think it goes hand in hand, I feel like you’re going to see the
best and most mature version, and I think that’s very scary.”