Report: Omari Akhmedov Out; Krzystof Jotko set to step in vs. Will Fleury in $1m Tournament

It’s the same date and venue for Will Fleury’s next PFL bout but his opponent has now changed sources have confirmed to SevereMMA.

The Tipperary native was set to take on Omari Akhmedov as part of the upcoming Light-Heavyweight Tournament which is set to kick off on April 1 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Akhmedov, the 2022 tournament finalist, has been forced out of the contest due suffering an injury, Krzysztof Jotko will now step in to take on Fleury to kick off the PFL 205 lbs 2023 tournament for both fighters.

Fleury comes into this matchup on a 4-fight win streak having made his PFL debut last August in Cardiff against Anthony Salamone. The former UAE Warriors Middleweight champion impressed on his debut and secured himself a spot in the PFL tournament, which not only offers the opportunity to win the PFL championship, but also the $1M prize.

Former UFC 17-fight veteran, Krzystof Jotko, will step in to make his PFL debut in the 205 lbs season opener. Fighting out of Poland, Jotko has taken a similar career path to Fluery, having spent most of his career competing as a middleweight. The 33-year old amassed a 11-6 record under the UFC banner, he will now have his sights set on a successful stint in the PFL tournament.

Will Fleury vs Krzystof Jotko joins a growing 2023 PFL 1 card, which is the first of three consecutive Regular Season events hosted at the venue. It will be headlined by 2022 PFL Featherweight World Champion Brendan Loughnane, who will face “Magic” Marlon Moraes. In the co-main event, PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Rob Wilkinson battles Thiago “Marreta” Santos.