Rob Wilkinson says he expects an “explosive” matchup when he meets Abraham Bably at PFL San Diego on June 27, and he sounds just as clear about the promotion’s recent changes as he does about the fight itself. The Australian light heavyweight, who won the 2022 PFL title, described Bably as a dangerous athlete moving down from heavyweight and said the new direction under PFL’s current structure “makes sense.”
Wilkinson is scheduled to face Bably on the main card at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, with the matchup light heavyweight. Event listings place Wilkinson at 19-5 and Bably at 8-2, with Bably entering after winning the inaugural PFL Africa heavyweight tournament and stopping Justin Clarke in 21 seconds in that final.
Rob Wilkinson on Abraham Bably in PFL San Diego
Wilkinson gave a blunt first look at the stylistic challenge. “I like the matchup. He is an explosive little nugget,” he said, before adding that he has dealt with “the shorter, stronger, stocky guys” many times earlier in his career. He also pointed to Bably’s frame and recent run of finishes, saying, “I think he’s very talented… he’s explosive… but I think it’s gonna be a good fight.” The comments line up with Bably’s recent rise, which includes the Africa tournament title and a quick knockout streak that has made him one of the more interesting new additions to the PFL global roster.
Wilkinson also expects some uncertainty once the cage door closes. He noted that Bably has shown wrestling, but may be tempted to strike after recent knockout wins, saying, “We’ll see if he wants to wrestle much or if he wants to just come in and throw hands,” before adding, “Once you start knocking people out you realise it’s pretty fun.” That read fits Bably’s recent results, which have centered on fast finishes and power rather than drawn-out control.
Away from the matchup, Wilkinson touched on the figures who pulled him into MMA in the first place. He said Randy Couture was the first fighter he remembers watching closely as a teenager, recalling YouTube sessions at his mother’s house, and added that Georges St-Pierre became an early favorite because of how “disciplined” and “well rounded” he was. The Couture reference lands neatly given Wilkinson’s own time at light heavyweight, a division Couture also ruled despite never being the biggest man in the room.
Wilkinson’s verdict on the recent PFL changes was simple: “It makes sense.” He said he still likes the tournament format, especially as a former winner, but added that a growing roster can force a promotion to adjust. He also backed the company’s effort to keep changing where needed, saying PFL is trying to “stick around and keep it going.”
That leaves Wilkinson with a real test on June 27 at PFL San Diego, where his experience finishing ability will meet Bably‘s power and recent surge. The light heavyweight bout at Pechanga Arena gives Wilkinson a chance to steady his place in the division while Bably looks to carry his PFL Africa form onto a larger stage.
